NEW DELHI: Pakistan unveiled two new batting faces on Friday as Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais received their maiden Test caps for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

With former captain Babar Azam ruled out due to a left knee injury, Pakistan turned to youth by drafting the two promising left-handed top-order batters into the playing XI for the first match of the two-Test series.

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Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to field first at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, but much of the pre-match attention centered around the two debutants.

Who are Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais?

Abdullah Fazal, a 23-year-old opening batter from Karachi, has built a strong reputation in Pakistan’s domestic circuit with consistent performances in first-class cricket. In 25 first-class matches, Fazal has scored 1828 runs at an average of 41.54. His impressive record includes four centuries and 10 fifties, with a career-best score of 182.

Joining him in the XI is 21-year-old Azan Awais from Sialkot, another highly-rated left-handed batter regarded as one of Pakistan’s brightest red-ball prospects. Awais has enjoyed an outstanding start to his first-class career, scoring 2673 runs in 33 matches at a superb average of 48.60. His tally includes 10 hundreds and nine fifties, while his highest score remains an unbeaten 203.

Pakistan’s batting lineup for the Test features Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan.

The visitors also welcomed back veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali, while Noman Ali was picked as the lone specialist spinner.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, brought back fast bowler Taskin Ahmed for his first Test appearance since December 2024 after recovering from injury. The hosts’ bowling attack also includes Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.

The series marks an important phase for Pakistan as they begin rebuilding their Test side with a younger batting core.

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BAN vs PAK Playing XIs:

Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.

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