Bangladesh Cricket team has not won any test against full strength higher ranked test playing country so far. Twice they went before once against Pakistan in Pakistan and the other against Australia at Dhaka.
Two greats Inzamam and Ponting rescued their teams on those occasions from the brink of defeat. Bangladesh played eight test against Pakistan over the last 14 years and lost all. Today they appear in a new series on the backdrop of white washing Pakistan 3-0 in ODI series and winning the only T20 .Bangladesh starts a mission of a first test win against Pakistan.
But it is not as easy and smooth as has been thought and planned. Pakistan is number four in test ranking and possess some truly world class test players. In the recent past Pakistan white washed strong Australia at UAE and won against New Zealand. Seasoned professional Younis Khan scored five test centuries in 2014.
Determined Misbah Ul Haque played some cracking test innings. Talented Azhar Ali and quality batsman Asad Shafique also chipped with useful centuries. These were all matters of the past.
In test cricket past proven records matters. But present form, fitness and confidence of the team are also important. These now have created level playground for Bangladesh and Pakistan. Bangladesh has so far achieved first ODI series win and T20 match win against Pakistan. It is difficult but not impossible that Bangladesh may go on to win test for the first time against Pakistan.
Misbah Ul Haque the captain cool will lead the time. Misbah in recent years stabilized the otherwise the most volatile and inconsistent Pakistan team affected by may scandals and inner conflicts. He is one of their most consistent performers with the bat. Younis Khan is a super star and one of best batsmen in recent time. In 2014 he was prolific in the tests. Australian bowlers will never forget the nightmare they had in the hands of Younis and Misbah in UAE last year. Talented Azhar Ali and Asad Shafique also made useful contributions with the bat. At late middle order Sarfraz Ahmed also scored runs. Hafiz who returned from injury had a forgettable 4 matches against Bangladesh so far in limited overs. But he has plenty of experience to bounce back. Young Sami Aslam has already shown some promise. 
Bangladesh will have to deal with a much better quality batting unit in test. They will really have to bowl well to make Pakistan all out within reasonable scores.
Bangladesh may not have to worry much about Pakistan bowling. In the recent past they have played most of them with supreme confidence off course in limited over matches. Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan will handle the pace attack. Bangladesh needs to carry on their prolific batting form. Khulna wicket may not have enough purchase for the pacers. But spinners may come into play after third day. Ajmal, Yasir Shah/ Zulfiqur Babar may create some challenges.
Bangladesh may be in a dilemma in selecting the openers. Tamim is in his brilliant best. Whom team management will select to open with him? There are few options. Imrul Kayes may be there. But off late he was not in good touch. He failed in world cup and did not do that well in domestic cricket as compared to prolific Liton K Das waiting for his debut. Liton is young, energetic and confident looking left handed batsman. At Under 19 level he showed lot of promise and in local cricket he proved to be a run machine .His mates Anamul and Taskin got breaks earlier than him.
Team think tank can opt for him. Liton in the team also gives option for using him as wicket keeper. Captain Mushfique can get some relief as he is also the main stay of Bangladesh batting. Number three position is secured for prolific Mominul Haque. He was not treated well during World Cup and recent ODI series. He is a genuine test batsman and there was no point in trying to fit him in limited version of the game. Hope his confidence and composure is not affected.
The middle order now will be in the safe hands of Mahamudullah, Mushfique and Shakib in whatever order they are rotated. Much will depend how these three contribute. Inclusion of hard hitting confident Soumya Sarkar has given depth and quality in Bangladesh batting .He can punish tired attack in scoring quick runs with his wide array of strokes. We must not be worried about batting. But Bangladesh must try to bat at least 5 sessions in each innings when situation demands. Test cricket is not for scoring quick 50-60 and throwing away the wickets in trying to play too many strokes.
Pace attack will be a bit thinner as Mashrafee and Taskin are not available to support Rubel. We would have loved to see Al Amin pairing Rubel. But possibly the incident in world cup has broken the morale to this talented lad. Hope Shahadat has been ironed well by Heath Streak. We are not sure Sohid will be risked in the first test. Bangladesh will possibly play with two pacers and Shakib, Taijul and Jubair sharing the spin attack. If Soumya is in the team he can bowl medium pace also. The spinners have to be in the act. But we also know Younis Khan and Misbah are good players of spin.
Shakib will be the key .Last time he played at Khulna stadium he scored a century and took 10 wickets against Zimbabwe. Pakistan is a much better batting unit. Yet if the wicket has purchase Shakib will trouble Pakistanis and so will Taijul and Jubair.But Bangladesh batsmen must bat longer and put up 400 runs to let the bowlers try and attack Pakistani batting.
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes/Lion K Das , 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 6 Shakib Al Hasan, 7 Soumya Sarkar 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Jubair Hossain, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Shahadat Hossain/ Mohammad Shahid.
Pakistan (probable): 1 Sami Aslam, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfaraz Ahmed, 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Junaid Khan, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Zulfiqar Babar/ Yasir Shah.
Weather forecast predicts rain possibility over the first four days. Rain or not an honorable draw will boost Bangladesh morale for a better show at Dhaka.
BDST: 1936 HRS, APR 28, 2015
AKA
** Bangladesh v Pakistan 1st Test Tuesday
