Bangladesh vs. Pakistan, 1st Test: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Bangladesh and Pakistan switch gears and begin their two-match Test series in Khulna on Tuesday. It's going to be a big challenge for both sides, and both have a point to prove. 

Venue: Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna

Date: Tue, Apr, 28 — Sat, May 2

Time:  10 a.m. local (4 a.m GMT)

Live on: PTV, Ten Sports (Pakistan), Gazi TV (Bangladesh), Willow TV (USA), Star Sports (India), SuperSport (South Africa).

Weather: According to AccuWeather.com, there is a chance of a few thunderstorms during the course of the Test. None of these storms should be bad enough to wash out an entire day's play, though, but it will add an extra dimension to how the teams plan and execute their strategy. 

Overview 

After an impressive showing in the limited-overs matches, where Bangladesh won both the one-day series as well as the one-off T20, they now need to show they can transfer some of what they have learned to the longest format of the game.

The squad is largely young and inexperienced, but even veterans such as Shakib Al Hasan need to hope that he can find his rhythm quickly. Al Hasan has not played first-class cricket between now and his last Test against Zimbabwe in November last year.

Most of the others have had some practice, with Jubair Hossain, Shuvagata Hom, Shahadat Hossain and newcomer Mohammad Shahid all having played a part in in the National Cricket League in recent times. Al Hasan doesn’t think the lack of match practice in the longest format will be too much of a problem, though. He was quoted by Mohammad Isam of ESPN Cricinfo as saying:

"

I don't think it will be a problem. I will definitely try to prepare myself in these two days, and then apply it in the Test match. It is important to train to bowl more overs, because I get to bowl fewer overs in the other formats.

The first innings will be vital though I wouldn't want to bowl for a long time. If I do, they will get to bat longer. We will try to bowl them out quickly, for which I will need rhythm. It is necessary that I get the rhythm.

"

Bangladesh will be heavily reliant on their spinners, but that’s not exactly anything new. Pakistan, meanwhile, need to find a way to turn their fortunes around after a miserable few weeks. The visitors pack an impressive punch from a batting perspective, but they have been prone to inexplicable batting collapses in Tests, no matter who or against whom they play.

Pakistan have been blighted by injuries recently, and Rahat Ali became the latest to be ruled out of action. There are no plans to replace Ali for the Test series, according to Haroon Rasheed's PTI interview (via ESPN Cricinfo), so selectors will have to make do with the back-up players.

The teams last played each other in a Test series back in 2011, and Pakistan won both matches convincingly. However, much has changed for both sides since then, and Bangladesh will be eager to prove that their recent run of form is not just a fluke.

Key players

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal was in outstanding form during the one-day series, scoring to centuries on the trot and finishing the ODI series with a half-century. Iqbal played in the Test series against Zimbabwe last year and scored a century and a half-century in his last outing. Bangladesh will look to him to provide stability at the top of the order.

Pakistan

Azhar Ali showed impressive form in the one-day series and will be hoping that he can transfer some of that form to the Test arena. He had a decent year in 2014, scoring 770 runs at an average of 51.33, including three half-centuries and three hundreds in eight Tests.

Stability and calm is something which Pakistan’s batting line-up often lacks, and they will be hoping Ali can play an anchor role should the rest of the squad get it completely wrong.

Squads

Bangladesh: Imrul Kayes, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Shahid, Mominul Haque, Jubair Hossain, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Shuvagata Hom, Shahadat Hossain, Taijul Islam

Pakistan: Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Imran Khan, Babar Azam, Junaid Khan, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Sami Aslam, Misbah-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Azhar Ali