Babar Azam out as Pakistan choose to bowl in Mirpur Test

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first against Bangladesh in the opening Test on Friday, a decision influenced by a green-tinged Mirpur surface and the sudden loss of their star batter.

Babar Azam was ruled out on the eve of the match with a left knee injury, forcing Pakistan to hand debuts to Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal.

The match ends a six-month Test hiatus for Bangladesh, who are looking to replicate the form that led to a historic 2-0 sweep in Pakistan in 2024. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has prioritized a pace-heavy attack to exploit the conditions, naming Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, and Nahid Rana in the XI.

While Pakistan’s decision to bowl puts the hosts' batters under immediate pressure, the absence of Babar leaves a significant void in the visitors' middle order.

Bangladesh XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain

Pakistan XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas