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MIRPUR: Pakistan created a unique milestone in their red-ball history after fielding an unprecedented combination in the opening Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Playing their 468th Test match, Pakistan featured seven left-handed batters in the same playing XI for the first time ever, marking a rare moment in the team’s long-standing Test journey.

The historic line-up included uncapped batters Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal alongside experienced left-handers Imam-ul-Haq, captain Shan Masood and vice-captain Saud Shakeel. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and spinner Noman Ali further added to the unique combination.

Pakistan entered the opening Test with a relatively fresh-looking top order, handing opportunities to young players as part of their preparations for the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.

Meanwhile, star batter Babar Azam was not included in the playing XI after suffering a left knee injury ahead of the match.

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Pakistan skipper Shan Masood elected to field first, and the visitors made an encouraging start through Shaheen Shah Afridi, who removed opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy for eight with just 18 runs on the board.

The pressure intensified shortly after when Hasan Ali struck in his very first over, dismissing Shadman Islam for 13 to leave Bangladesh struggling at 31-2 in the morning session.

However, the hosts responded positively through a composed rebuilding effort from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque.

The experienced pair absorbed the early pressure before gradually shifting momentum back in Bangladesh’s favour with a patient and unbeaten 70-run stand for the third wicket at the end of the first session.

Pakistan XI for first Bangladesh Test: Shan Masood (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan.

READ: Donald Trump says he would not pay $1,000 to watch USA at FIFA World Cup

President Donald Trump said in an interview published Thursday that he would not pay the $1,000-plus ticket price for the first World Cup 2026 match of the United States of America (USA), piling pressure on FIFA over its sky-high costs.

“I did not know that number,” the billionaire Trump told the New York Post, adding, “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.”

USA lawmakers and international fan groups have slammed FIFA over its pricing structure for the tournament that kicks off in June, with Football Supporters Europe branding it a “monumental betrayal.”

Trump appeared concerned that lower-income Americans, a key voting bloc for him, would be priced out of attending the World Cup.

“If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can’t go, I would be disappointed, but, you know, at the same time, it’s an amazing success.”

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“I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go,” added Trump, who takes credit for securing the World Cup for the United States during his first term as president.

Trump is close to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who on Tuesday insisted the governing body was obliged to take advantage of US laws that allow tickets to be resold for thousands of dollars above face value.

He said that FIFA received over 500 million ticket requests for 2026, compared with fewer than 50 million combined for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The FIFA leader added that 25 percent of tickets for the group phase were priced at under $300.

Fan groups have contrasted the tickets for this summer with the Qatar World Cup in 2022. The most expensive ticket for the final in 2022 was around $1,600 at face value, while in 2026 it is about $11,000.

READ: Shanto, Mominul steady Bangladesh after early blows in first Pakistan Test

MIRPUR: A record century from Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, ably backed by Mominul Haque’s half-century, left the home side in a commanding position against Pakistan at the end of day one of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

At the end of the day’s play, the home side racked up 301 for the loss of four wickets in 85 overs, with Mushfiqur Rahim remaining unbeaten on 48 with the aid of six boundaries. On the other hand, Litton Das held firm, scoring eight not out off 35 deliveries.

After toiling hard, Pakistan bowlers tried to make a comeback in the final session as Noman Ali provided the much-needed breakthrough with Haque’s wicket. The left-arm spinner broke a 75-run partnership as Haque was trapped lbw for 91 in the 73rd off the innings. He hit 10 fours in his crafty knock.

After his dismissal, Mushfiqur and Das safely negotiated the remaining 12 overs, ensuring the hosts finish strong on the opening day of the series.

For Pakistan, Noman Ali remained the solitary wicket-taker in the session.

Earlier, Shanto fell in the final over of the second session after playing a commanding knock of 101 off 130 balls. This was also his fifth ton as skipper, the most by any Bangladesh captain.

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Bangladesh went to Tea with 201-3 on the board, courtesy of a dominant 170-run partnership between Shanto and Mominul Haque.

Mominul resumed his innings at 64 after Tea, while veteran wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim was yet to open his account.

In the first session, Bangladesh had scored 101-2 after they were invited to bat first, with captain Shanto unbeaten on 39 while Mominul remained steady on 31.

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood elected to field first, and the visitors made an encouraging start through Shaheen Shah Afridi, who removed opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy for eight with just 18 runs on the board.

The pressure intensified shortly after when Hasan Ali struck in his very first over, dismissing Shadman Islam for 13 to leave Bangladesh struggling at 31-2 in the morning session.

However, the hosts responded positively through a composed rebuilding effort from Shanto and Mominul.

The experienced pair absorbed the early pressure before gradually shifting momentum back in Bangladesh’s favour with a patient and unbeaten 70-run stand for the third wicket at the end of the first session.

READ: IPL-bound Australia players set to miss Pakistan tour

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has agreed a new three-year contract extension which will keep him with the Seagulls until at least 2029, the Premier League club announced Thursday.

The 33-year-old German, who joined before the start of last season, has guided Brighton to eighth in the Premier League and to the brink of European qualification.

“I absolutely love working for this club and living in the city and I am delighted to have agreed a new contract,” Hurzeler said in a Brighton statement.

“To have this long-term commitment from the club is an honour and one which only reinforces my desire to succeed in delivering on our shared long-term vision.”

Hurzeler became the youngest full-time manager in Premier League history when appointed by Brighton aged 31 in June 2024 following Roberto De Zerbi’s exit.

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He added: “I’m proud of what we have done so far and even more excited about what is still to come.”

Brighton have three matches remaining this season, starting with a visit from already-relegated Wolves on Saturday.

Seagulls chairman Tony Bloom said: “Since his appointment, Fabian has continued the progress the club has made in recent seasons with consistent on-pitch performances, and he has developed a clear playing identity.

“This season, he has built on the foundations laid during his first season, in which he led us to an impressive eighth place.

“During his time as head coach the team has shown resilience, intensity and control. With three games to play we are pushing for a strong finish.”

READ: FIFA President defends World Cup 2026 ticket prices

Bangladesh cricket authorities have charged four people with corruption linked to the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the national board chief said on Thursday.

The sweeping crackdown over alleged betting-related offences caught up officials from three franchises and a domestic cricketer.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ad hoc committee head Tamim Iqbal said they had acted swiftly to “set an example”.

“If we wanted to, we could have dragged this thing for another two or three months,” Tamim Iqbal told reporters. “But the only thing our board said was that if we have enough evidence — execute.”

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The board said domestic cricketer Amit Mojumder and Sylhet Titans manager Rezwan Kabir Siddique were charged with violating the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption code.

Chattogram Royals manager Md. Lablur Rahman and Noakhali Express co-owner Md. Towhidul Haque Towhid were charged with failing to cooperate with investigators and obstructing the probe.

All four, who have been provisionally suspended, have 14 days to respond to the allegations.

Separately, the BCB said it had banned another Chattogram Royals official, Saminur Rahman, from participating in any board-sanctioned cricket activity for alleged corrupt practices in the BPL.

READ: Shanto believes Bangladesh pacers have slight edge over Pakistan

MIRPUR: Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has expressed confidence in his fast bowlers on the eve of the opening Test against Pakistan.

Shanto admitted the strength of Pakistan’s pace attack over the years but also backed his own fast bowlers, citing their performances over the past couple of seasons.

“Pakistan’s pace bowling is traditionally very strong; there is no doubt about that,” Shanto said.

“However, considering how our pacers have performed over the last few years, I would say our pace attack is perhaps slightly ahead,” he insisted.

The left-hander also mentioned the improvement in fast bowlers, noting that it provides him with added comfort as skipper.

“Our pacers have improved immensely in terms of skill, which gives me an extra cushion as a captain,” he said.

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The 27-year-old also highlighted the importance of racking up runs on the board in the first innings and said a balanced pace and spin attack would be key to success.

“I personally want the batters to take up the challenge of putting up a big first-innings total. A proper combination of pace and spin will be key to our success.”

Najmul Hossain spoke about speedster Nahid Rana, praising his work ethic while noting that he has yet to make his mark.

Shanto also spoke about fast bowler Nahid Rana, praising his work ethic and expecting him to thrive in the upcoming Test series.

“I have known Rana since his early days, and I am aware of his work ethic,” Shanto noted.

“For a captain, having a genuine tearaway in the side is always a massive plus. He is in great rhythm, and I expect him to hit his peak in this series,” Najmul Hossain Shanto concluded.

READ: Shan Masood downplays ‘revenge’ talk ahead of Bangladesh series

MIRPUR: Pakistan star batter Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opening Test against Bangladesh, set to begin tomorrow at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the ace batter will not be part of the Playing XI due to a left-knee injury.

“Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to a injury in left knee,” the press release statement said.

The statement further said that his injury is currently being assessed, with further updates to be shared soon.

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“The team’s medical panel is currently assessing his condition. Further updates will be shared in due course,” it added.

The first of the two matches – part of the ICC World Test Championship will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test, which will be played from 16 to 20 May.

In the current World Test Championship (WTC) standings, Bangladesh are placed eighth, having registered one defeat and one draw from two matches, with a win percentage of 16.67.

Pakistan, meanwhile, sit fifth with one win and one loss, holding 12 points and a 50 percent win ratio.

Squads

Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Bangladesh (first Test): Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan, and Amite Hasan.

READ: Shan Masood downplays ‘revenge’ talk ahead of Bangladesh series

MIRPUR: Pakistan captain Shan Masood has dismissed any talk of revenge ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, set to begin tomorrow. 

Speaking to the media on the eve of the first Test, Masood dismissed any talk of revenge and instead credited the home side for their victory in the previous series.

“I do not think our side associates itself with any word related to revenge. We must give credit to Bangladesh for the way they prepared and performed in 2024. We thought we would have the better of them in those conditions, but they played really good cricket,” he told reporters.

“The way they fought back from situations where we were on top, like when they were 26 for six, showed their skill and ability. We are not going to take any opposition lightly,” he added.

The skipper emphasized that the Pakistan all-round squad can adjust to any conditions.

“They have their own strengths, and we have our own strengths. We can only judge ourselves from our own point of view. I think we have brought a very well-rounded squad of 16 players that can play in most conditions,” he explained.

“We are very happy with the squad we have, and now it is about playing 10 days of good cricket. Hopefully, whoever plays better cricket will end up winning the series,” Shan Masood continued.

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He also recalled the last series, highlighting Bangladesh’s performance, saying that the hosts’ squad remains largely unchanged.

“I have been involved in two previous series against Bangladesh, and this side is very similar to the one we faced before, very competitive and skillful. They are covered in all departments, whether batting, pace bowling or spin bowling.”

“We enjoy challenges, and we like playing teams that are strong in their own conditions. This is an opportunity for us to test our skills and hopefully come out on top,” the 36-year-old said.

Masood also mentioned the surface at the Shere-Bangla National Stadium pitch, while expressing confidence in his based on their recent tours.

“The pitch currently has grass on it, and that will likely be its condition tomorrow. We have played in various conditions over the last two years, including Australia and South Africa. Even when Bangladesh came to Pakistan, we prepared similar wickets. We built our 16-man squad to be balanced, with options for both seam and spin conditions,” he observed.

DHAKA: The trophy for the Pakistan-Bangladesh Test series was officially unveiled in Mirpur on Thursday, with both team captains posing with the silverware.

The silverware was unveiled at the Shere-Bangla National Stadium by Pakistan skipper Shan Masood and Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared visuals on social media platforms.

“Pre-series trophy shoot at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. First Test begins tomorrow,” the caption of the post read.

The first of the two matches – part of the ICC World Test Championship will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test, which will be played from 16 to 20 May.

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In the current World Test Championship (WTC) standings, Bangladesh are placed eighth, having registered one defeat and one draw from two matches, with a win percentage of 16.67.

Pakistan, meanwhile, sit fifth with one win and one loss, holding 12 points and a 50 percent win ratio.

Squads

Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Bangladesh (first Test): Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan, and Amite Hasan.

READ: IPL-bound Australia players set to miss Pakistan tour

Australia fast bowling trio, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, are among the high-profile players set to miss the three-match ODI series against Pakistan due to their participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. 

The IPL league stage fixtures are set to end on May 24, with the playoffs running from May 26 to May 31, creating a scheduling clash with Australia’s tour.

The 2023 World Cup champions are set to arrive in Pakistan on May 23 before playing their first fixture on May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second and third matches will be played in Lahore on June 2 and June 4, respectively.

The tour is the second leg of Australia’s white-ball assignment, which began with three T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup in January.

Cummins, Hazlewood, Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, and Xavier Bartlett are all expected to miss the ODI series, as with their IPL outfits — Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, among playoff contention.

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Mitchell Starc’s Delhi Capitals sit seventh, while Cameron Green’s Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remain eighth but still have a mathematical chance of advancing to the playoffs.

On the contrary, ODI vice-captain Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis are likely to be available, given Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are out of the playoff equation.

Matt Short, part of Chennai Super Kings, is also in line for selection, having been on the fringes of Australia’s ODI set-up.

It is worth noting that, regardless of the availability, Cricket Australia (CA) is understood to be reluctant to risk Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc due to injury concerns ahead of a packed cricketing calendar, during which they will play up to 21 Tests in 12 months time.

READ: New Zealand add Kane Williamson to squad for Ireland, England Tests