Bangladesh Eye Maiden Series Win Against Pakistan

Bangladesh are hoping to secure a first Test-series victory over Pakistan, who have left out star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the second match starting in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Bangladesh Eye Maiden Series Win Against Pakistan (Image Source: Google)

- 'Morale very good' -

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe was confident his side could recreate their heroics from the first Test.

"The morale of the players is very, very good," said former Sri Lankan batsmen Hathurusinghe.

"Obviously beating Pakistan in Pakistan is not an easy task."

Pakistan were rattled by the Bangladesh response to their first-innings total of 448-6, crumbling for a paltry 146 in their second outing.

A brilliant 191 by veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim on a flat Rawalpindi pitch helped the visitors rack up their highest-ever total against Pakistan of 565 to take a crucial 117-run first-innings lead.

Spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4-21) and Shakib Al Hasan (3-44) then rocked the hosts and made them rue not playing a frontline spinner.

But Hathurusinghe said the second game would be a big challenge.

"They are a very strong team and we expect a very good fight in the second Test as well but we will not be different from the first game and know our strength as well as that of Pakistan's."

Since gaining Test status in 2000, Bangladesh have only won two of their 32 overseas series with wins in the West Indies (2009) and Zimbabwe (2021), drawing three and losing 27.

Bangladesh's pace attack will be boosted by the return of experienced Taskin Ahmed who recovered from a shoulder injury but will have a tie with Nahid Rana for a place in the eleven.

Intermittent rain and bad weather in Rawalpindi prevented both teams from having a practice session.