Test cricket is finally back on the international calendar after a four-month gap, and Pakistan begin their new away assignment with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first Test starts on Friday, May 8, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, with both teams looking to gain points in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
Pakistan enter the series after a mixed start to their WTC campaign. They split their home series against South Africa 1-1 earlier this year and now travel to Bangladesh for what could be a tricky challenge in spin-friendly conditions. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will take confidence from the last time these two sides met in Tests, when they stunned Pakistan 2-0 away from home.
BAN vs PAK 1st Test: Match details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Bangladesh vs Pakistan, 1st Test |
| Date | Friday, May 8, 2026 |
| Venue | Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur |
| Time (IST) | 9:30 AM |
| Time (Local) | 10:00 AM |
The opening morning in Mirpur already saw Bangladesh recover strongly after early wickets. Mohammad Abbas bowled tightly with the new ball but went wicketless, while Najmul Hossain Shanto counterattacked fluently and Mominul Haque held firm with discipline. Bangladesh scored 101/2 in the morning session on Day 1 after Shan Masood put them to bat first.
Babar Azam ruled out of opening Test
Pakistan have suffered a major setback ahead of the first Test, with star batter Babar Azam ruled out due to a left knee injury. The former Pakistan captain had arrived in Bangladesh fresh from a successful Pakistan Super League (PSL) campaign, where he finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer and led Peshawar Zalmi to the title. He trained with the squad for two days after landing in Dhaka but reportedly woke up with pain in his left knee on Thursday morning.
Pakistan’s medical team decided to withdraw him from the Mirpur Test. The team management confirmed that his condition is still being monitored, although there is no clarity yet on whether he will miss the entire series.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st Test live streaming details
| Region | TV Broadcast | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | — | FanCode app & website |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports | Tapmad |
| Bangladesh | T Sports, Nagorik TV | Tapmad |
| Sri Lanka | Dialog & PEO TV | — |
| Australia | FOX Cricket | Kayo Sports |
| New Zealand | Sky NZ | — |
| South East Asia & MENA | — | Cricbuzz |
BAN vs PAK Test series schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | May 8 | Mirpur |
| 2nd Test | May 16 | Sylhet |
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