The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh faced a delayed start on Wednesday due to wet patches in the outfield at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, following overnight rain. Umpires Richard Kettleborough of England and Adrian Holdstock of South Africa conducted two ground inspections and scheduled a third for 12:00 PM, coinciding with the lunch break, according to a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board on X.
Prospects of play before lunch improved as the sun emerged, clearing the skies over the stadium.
This two-match series is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) third cycle (2023-2025), contested by nine teams. Pakistan currently sits in sixth place, while Bangladesh is eighth on the table. The second Test, originally scheduled for Karachi, will also be played in Rawalpindi from August 30, after being relocated due to construction work at the Karachi stadium.
In team news, all-rounder Aamer Jamal was omitted from Pakistan’s playing XI for the first Test. Aamer, who made an impressive debut during the series against Australia, was ruled out due to a back injury sustained during county cricket earlier this year. The Pakistan Cricket Board has advised him to focus on his recovery and fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
