Slate wiped clean as Mirpur Test looms

Past glories and previous heartbreaks will be cast aside on Friday as Bangladesh and Pakistan begin their two-match Test series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Despite Bangladesh’s historic 2024 series win in Pakistan dominating the pre-match narrative, both camps are adamant that history will have no bearing on the opening toss. 

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons was clinical in his assessment, dismissing any notion of dwelling on the past.

"That is history now," Simmons said on Wednesday. 

"We want to make new history. It doesn't matter what happened then. Yes, you keep it in your mind because it gives you a boost, but it is a new game and a new place. We are in Bangladesh now, not Pakistan. We have to put those things behind us and focus on Friday."

Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi mirrored this forward-looking sentiment. Following a disappointing home outing in their last encounter, the left-armer insists the tourists are focused on the World Test Championship (WTC).

"The past is the past. Personally, I do not want to dwell on it," said Shaheen. "Our goal is to focus on the present and the future. We are preparing to win the championship, not just a single series. As a team, we have big goals and we are ready."

Both sides face the hurdle of "red-ball rust."

Bangladesh last featured in the long format against Ireland in November 2025, while Pakistan’s last Test outing was against South Africa earlier that year. However, Simmons believes the transition for his squad will be seamless, despite the gap.

"It is a more mental shift, but there are quite a few guys here who have not played white-ball cricket recently. They have been working with the red ball for the last couple of months, so I think it will be an easier shift than you think," Simmons added, noting that he is not losing sleep over the heightened public expectation. 

"I think the expectation is 95% outside the dressing room. The public have more expectations than we do. Those expectations do not help us."

Shaheen insisted that Pakistan is equally prepared despite a six-month hiatus from the format. He revealed the bowling unit has been building workloads since the Pakistan Super League, bowling extra overs on side wickets to prepare for the five-day grind.

"In the four or five days we had here, we tried to bowl 25 overs to get accustomed to the format," Shaheen noted. 

"Playing against any team in their home conditions is always tough. Our goal is to qualify for the WTC final and win it. We will give our absolute best."