Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test Series Begins Tomorrow as Shan Masood Vows Process Over Revenge

Masood Brushes Aside Revenge Talk, Vows to Play Positive Cricket Against Bangladesh

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood arrived in Dhaka with a calm and assured demeanour, making it abundantly clear at the pre-series press conference that his side has not travelled to Bangladesh to settle old scores. Ahead of the two-match Test series set to begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on May 8, Masood was composed and deliberate as he fielded questions about Pakistan’s stunning home defeat to Bangladesh in 2024, a loss that had sent shockwaves through the cricketing world and ended with the Tigers scripting history on Pakistani soil for the very first time.

“Our side doesn’t associate itself with any word related to revenge,” Masood said firmly. “We have to give full credit to Bangladesh for the way they prepared and performed. We believed we had the edge in those conditions, but they showed tremendous quality and played some really good cricket.” He was particularly generous in acknowledging Bangladesh’s fighting spirit, highlighting a specific moment that underlined their resilience. “There were times when we felt we had the game firmly in our hands, like when they were 26 for six, but the way they clawed their way back from that situation said everything about their character and cricketing ability. That kind of resolve has to be respected.”

The build-up to the series received a glittering moment earlier in the day when the official Test series trophy was jointly unveiled by Masood and his Bangladesh counterpart Najmul Hossain Shanto at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, with both captains posing alongside the silverware in what set an exciting tone for the contest ahead. The two-match series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with the first Test scheduled in Dhaka from May 8 to 12, and the second at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20. In terms of the WTC standings, Bangladesh currently sit eighth, having registered one defeat and one draw from two matches with just four points and a win percentage of 16.67, while Pakistan are placed fifth following one win and one defeat from their two outings.

Pakistan return to Test cricket after a six-month gap in the longest format, and Masood said the squad selection had been deliberate, with the management focused on assembling a balanced and adaptable group of 16 players. “We’ve put together a squad that can handle most conditions, whether it’s seam-friendly surfaces or spin-heavy tracks, we believe we have the options to adjust,” he said. “Now it’s about converting that into 10 days of good cricket. Whoever plays better cricket will end up winning the series.” Masood also made clear at the trophy unveiling that taking 20 wickets would be the single most critical factor in securing victory in the first Test.

There had been considerable talk leading up to the match that the Dhaka surface could be prepared as a green top, an unusual sight for a subcontinent pitch, but Masood was unfazed by the prospect. He pointed to Pakistan’s recent experience in some of the most demanding overseas conditions in world cricket. “We’ve played in Australia and South Africa over the last couple of years, so a pitch with grass on it is nothing we haven’t seen before,” he said. “When Bangladesh visited Pakistan, we also prepared similar surfaces. Our squad has been specifically built with both seam and spin in mind, so we are ready for whatever is on offer.”

Throughout the press conference, Masood reserved genuine and unprompted admiration for the Bangladesh side, stressing that Pakistan would not be making the mistake of underestimating the hosts. “This Bangladesh team is very competitive and very skilful, they are covered in all three departments, whether that is batting, pace bowling or spin bowling,” he said. “I have been involved in two previous series against them, and every time they make you work hard for every run and every wicket.” He concluded on a note that captured the spirit in which Pakistan are approaching the challenge. “We enjoy playing teams that are strong in their own backyard. This is a great opportunity for us to test ourselves, and hopefully we come out on top.”