DHAKA, May 7, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh are aiming for a stronger performance as they kick-off their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) campaign on home soil with a two-match series against Pakistan.

The opening Test starts on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, with play scheduled to begin at 10 AM.

Bangladesh had already played two matches in the current WTC cycle during their tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, where they lost the series 1-0.

Bangladesh finished seventh in the previous WTC cycle after winning four of their 12 Tests. Three of those victories came overseas, including a historic 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2024, Bangladesh's first-ever Test wins over Pakistan after previously losing 12 matches and drawing one.

Despite that success, Bangladesh struggled badly at home, managing just one win in six Tests.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said the team has identified first-innings batting as the key area needing improvement.

Bangladesh crossed the 300-run mark only once in six home Tests during the previous cycle, scoring 310 against New Zealand in a match they eventually won by 150 runs.

"If we can put up 400 or close to that, it will be very good for us," Shanto told reporters in pre-Test conference today. "Not everyone can play attacking cricket and I don't want anyone to change their natural game."

"The important thing is scoring runs. It does not matter whether the 400 comes in 80 overs or 120 overs. We need a big first-innings total."

Shanto also praised Bangladesh's pace attack, which played a major role in the team's overseas success in recent years.

"Our pacers have been excellent and that was reflected in our overseas performances in the last cycle," he said. "But as a batting group we lacked consistency."

"Whatever the conditions are, the batters have to grind it out. I hope they will take responsibility and put a healthy total on the board. The pacers have bowled brilliantly in white-ball cricket recently and hopefully they can continue that form in Tests."

Pakistan captain Shan Masood acknowledged Bangladesh's improvement, particularly in fast bowling, but avoided comparisons between the two sides.

"There is no doubt Bangladesh have improved significantly as a pace-bowling unit," Masood said. "But I do not want to compare attacks. I think both teams have strong bowling line-ups."

Masood said Pakistan were focused only on the immediate challenge rather than long-term ambitions.

"For us, all the focus is on this series," he said. "We cannot look too far ahead. We have to take it step by step, starting with tomorrow and making sure we play a good day of cricket."

Pakistan, like Bangladesh, have already played two Tests in the current WTC cycle, winning one and losing one against South Africa.

"Every team dreams of playing finals and winning trophies," Masood added. "But right now our focus is on playing Bangladesh in Bangladesh and responding well to the challenge ahead."

 Squad:

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

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