In his very detailed and insightful article, @Markhor brings his unique expertise in all things Pakistan cricket as he looks forward to Pakistan's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh with a view on their World Test Championship hopes. 

By @Markhor (12 August 2024)

If Pakistan fans sought comfort in Test cricket after a long and dispiriting season of white-ball engagements, they may want to cover their eyes. Since the retirements of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq in May 2017, Pakistan have won just 16 of 46 Tests with a W/L ratio only better than perennial strugglers West Indies, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland and Zimbabwe.

Pakistan are on their fourth Test captain in those seven years and if Shan Masood’s batting returns don’t improve, will soon begin looking for a fifth. If there was hope captaincy would elevate his numbers – Shan averages 30 as skipper as opposed to 28 without the responsibility. Hardly the stuff of legends.

In fairness Shan demonstrated more tactical acuity than his two predecessors Babar Azam and Azhar Ali in Pakistan’s last series against Australia with innovative fields leading to a more competitive tour than most expected. Yet the result, a 3-0 whitewash, was testament of a team that’s simply forgotten how to win.

A home series against Bangladesh under a new coach presents an ideal opportunity to remember how to do so. The turmoil wracked visitors have lost all 5 previous Tests in Pakistan with Rawalpindi, hosting the First Test, the site of an innings drubbing in their last Test on Pakistani soil in 2020. Bangladesh haven’t even drawn a Test against Pakistan since 2015. Yet with questions lingering over Pakistan’s lineup, complacency must be avoided.

Top Order

Abdullah Shafique will relish a return to familiar conditions after a torrid tour of Australia where he struggled to keep both bat and ball in hand – shelling easy catches that cost Pakistan dearly. He averages 50 in Asia which includes an assured debut in Bangladesh, and demonstrated excellent spin playing abilities in Sri Lanka last year.

His partner Saim Ayub however sorely needs runs whatever the format. While Saim’s shots light up any highlights reel, he hasn’t stayed at the crease long enough to make any meaningful impact in international cricket. One of Jason Gillespie’s biggest tests is to ensure Saim doesn’t fall by the wayside like so many promising young Pakistani batsmen over the years.

With Shan at 3, Pakistan’s top order hardly inspires confidence. Mohammad Hurraira may be carrying more than just the drinks.

Babar Azam vs Left Arm Spin

The day of the week when Babar Azam’s status and legacy as a cricketer isn’t debated doesn’t exist. Countless hours are spent on forums, podcasts, YouTube videos and social media discussing if Babar belongs to the rarefied air of Pakistani greats such as Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar and Younis Khan, or is a mere pretender elevated by the mediocrity of his teammates. His average of 22 last year was the lowest since 2017 when he was battling to stay in the Test team.

What’s undisputable is Babar’s prowess at home where he averages 71. However, that falls to 31 against left arm spin so the matchup against the underrated Taijul Islam is one to watch.

The Third Man

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, for better or worse, are the contemporary faces of Pakistan’s fast bowling legacy. While both have faced considerable challenges since their debuts on and off the field, the only question is over who joins them.

Aamer Jamal’s debut series was an unbridled joy. A tireless competitor with bat and ball, he won the hearts of Australian fans much like fellow debutant Shamar Joseph in the following series. Cricket though quickly humbles young bucks and a woeful, injury curtailed stint for Warwickshire where he took 1-142 at over 4 RPO presents a dilemma.

Khurram Shahzad impressed on debut in Perth with his setup of Steve Smith exhibiting a bowling intelligence sometimes lacking from Pakistani quicks. Injury curtailed his tour, but with overs and wickets under his belt for Pakistan Shaheens against Bangladesh A in Darwin, he seems the likeliest contender.

FC veterans Mir Hamza and Mohammad Ali are worthy alternatives and were the leading wicket-takers after Khurram Shahzad in the 2023/24 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Bangladesh, shaken by the unrest at home

Recent political unrest had seemingly jeopardised this tour with Bangladesh cricket journalists reporting that several Board executives are currently in hiding while players are understandably concerned about the safety of their families. The turmoil however does mean Bangladesh fly out to Pakistan earlier than planned offering the team more opportunity for acclimatisation than is typical for modern Test tours.

Batting remains a weakness with only Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das averaging above 40 in Tests since start of 2022.

WTC hopes

Pakistan currently stand 5th in the World Test Championship standings well behind leaders India and Australia, but will not have a better chance of improving their prospects of qualifying for the final than their three upcoming home Test series this winter. Fans are desperate after a dismal T20 World Cup to have something to cheer. Last year’s Sri Lanka tour highlighted what Pakistan can do at their best – a few more victories like that will go some way towards restoring the hope in our cricket that’s sadly increasingly vanishing.