BAN vs PAK, 1st Test 2026: Live Streaming, Playing 11, Pitch Report, Weather Update, Predictions

Bangladesh and Pakistan are ready to restart their World Test Championship campaign with the opening Test of the two-match series beginning Friday in Mirpur. While Pakistan enter the contest as the higher-ranked side in the WTC table, Bangladesh will look to make home conditions count at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

The opening Test has already gained attention after Pakistan suffered a major blow ahead of the match, with Babar Azam ruled out because of a knee injury. Both teams now head into the series with pressure to secure crucial WTC points.

BAN vs PAK 1st Test: Match timing and venue

The first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan will be played from May 8 to May 12 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.


The match will begin at 9:30 AM IST, while the toss is scheduled for 9 AM IST.

Bangladesh vs Pakistan: Predicted Playing 11

Bangladesh Predicted XI

Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan Predicted XI

Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Khurram Shahzad, Hasan Ali.

Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st Test Match Prediction

Pakistan may enter the opening Test without Babar Azam, but they still appear slightly ahead on paper because of their stronger bowling attack and greater experience in pressure situations. Bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali could become dangerous if the Mirpur surface offers early seam movement.

Bangladesh, however, are unlikely to make life easy at home. The hosts have become a far more competitive Test side in familiar conditions, especially with spinners such as Taijul Islam and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz capable of turning matches quickly on slowing pitches.

Much could depend on how the wicket behaves after the first two days. If the pitch starts assisting spin heavily, Bangladesh may fancy their chances. But if Pakistan’s pacers dominate early sessions, the visitors could take control despite the absence of Babar.

Prediction:

Pakistan start as slight favourites, but expect a closely fought Test with weather and pitch conditions likely to play a major role.

BAN vs PAK 1st Test: Pitch report

The Mirpur pitch has become the biggest talking point before the Test. Early visuals from the surface suggest more grass than usual, something rarely associated with Bangladesh home Tests.

Reports indicate the wicket may assist fast bowlers in the opening days with extra bounce and seam movement before slowing down later in the game. Spinners are still expected to come into play as the match progresses.

Bangladesh’s recent success with pace bowlers has also sparked fresh discussion among fans online, with many expecting a very different kind of Mirpur Test this time around.

BAN vs PAK 1st Test: Weather update

Dhaka is expected to remain hot and humid during the Test match, although rain interruptions cannot be completely ruled out later in the game. Temperatures are likely to hover between 31 and 34 degrees Celsius during the daytime. Humidity levels are also expected to remain high, something both teams will have to manage across five days.

Forecasts suggest mostly sunny conditions at the start of the Test before possible thunderstorms arrive on some later days of the match window.

The first two days are likely to see mostly clear and sunny conditions, which should help the fast bowlers early on if the pitch retains moisture underneath the grass cover. However, forecasts suggest chances of scattered thunderstorms and brief rain spells later in the match, especially during the afternoon and evening sessions.

While a complete washout is not expected at this stage, short weather interruptions could still play a role as the Test progresses in Mirpur.

BAN vs PAK Live Streaming and Broadcast Details

The Bangladesh vs Pakistan first Test will not be televised live in India. Fans, however, can watch the live streaming on the FanCode app and website.

Head-to-Head Record Between Bangladesh and Pakistan

Bangladesh and Pakistan have faced each other 15 times in Test cricket so far, with Pakistan enjoying a clear upper hand in the rivalry.

Matches played: 15
Pakistan wins: 12
Bangladesh wins: 2
Drawn matches: 1

Pakistan also won the last Test series between the two sides in Bangladesh back in 2021 by a 2-0 margin. However, Bangladesh’s recent improvement in home conditions has added extra intrigue to this latest meeting between the two Asian sides.