Bangladesh are on the verge of handing Pakistan a historic series defeat in the ongoing PAK vs BAN Tests. The next target on the Tigers’ list will be India as they visit the country for a two-match Test series from September 19. Rohit Sharma and co. will tread cautiously against Bangladesh in the series, given stunning performance of their bowlers in a similar sub-continental surface in Rawalpindi.
Why India should be concerned about Bangladesh
Pakistan misery began right from the very first Test. A strategic blunder from the hosts by playing an all-pace attack backfired on the team, resulting in their first-ever Test loss to Bangladesh. Playing with spin as their main weapon, Bangladesh successfully dismantled Pakistan’s batting order, with Mehidy Hasan grabbing four wickets in the 2nd innings. Bangladesh went on to win the game by 10 wickets, marking their first-ever win against Pakistan in the red-ball format since 2001.
Cut to the second Test, Bangladesh are once again back to torment Pakistan and are nearly on the verge of sealing a series victory. Once again it was Mehidy Hasan who led the charge with a stunning five-wicket haul in the first innings that saw Pakistan being bowled out for 274 runs. Taskin Ahmed added firepower to Bangladesh’s line-up as the team outclassed Pakistan in a fighting fashion.
The second innings belonged to the pacers majorly, with Nahid Rana rattling the Pakistan top-order with three wickets in the first session on Day 4. With just a slender 100+ run lead, Pakistan are battling to survive the game as Bangladesh close in on the win.
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There’s less than a month to go for the IND vs BAN series and Rohit Sharma and co. should be worried about their opposition, given their performance in Pakistan. India will play Bangladesh in Chennai and Kanpur, both surfaces and conditions which the Tigers are very familiar with. Despite India’s track record at home, the team will be wary of the threat posed by Bangladesh as they can potentially hand the Men in Blue a big upset.
The series will also mark the start of an important Test season for India leading to the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2025. Rohit Sharma and co. will want to wiln every Test in order to win the coveted mace. With their series against Pakistan, Bangladesh have proved why they are the biggest underdogs in the business who can’t be taken lightly.
