Pindi stadium

World Test Championship: Set to play nine Test matches in the next five months, Pakistan's hectic schedule in red-ball cricket got off to a damp start with a wet outfield due to overnight rain delaying the start of the opening Test against Bangladesh here on Wednesday. Pakistan are hoping to build up their push for a spot in the final of the World Test Championship based on the upcoming red-ball matches with the two-Test series against Bangladesh becoming the stepping stone for tougher battles ahead in the season.

But the start of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Pindi Stadium here was delayed because of a wet outfield. With mop-up operations underway, the match officials have scheduled an inspection to gauze the conditions and decide when play could be started.

Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood is hoping to build on this series for the battles ahead in the season and wants to zero in on a potent squad that can go all the way to the final. He is planning to give young batter