Bangladesh

With Bangladesh resuming from their overnight 242 for 5, with Shakib Al Hasan on 39 and Liton Bas on 34, the West Indies had an early breakthrough when Warrican, 3 for 58 overnight, bowled Das for 38 to have the home side 248 for 6.

However, the visitors were made to toil as Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored his first Test century while featuring in three partnerships that spurred a lower-order rally that gradually pushed his side into the ascendancy.

Mehidy put on 67 with Shakib Al Hasan (68) for the seventh wicket, 44 with Taijul Islam (18) for the eighth and then 57 with Nayeem Hasan (42) for the ninth before finally losing his wicket to Rahkeem Cornwall for 103.

The West Indies were made to pay for dropping him twice, on 24 and then on 85. He was first let off the hook by debutant Shayne Moseley who put him down at silly mid-off despite having two chances to hold on. The second chance was spilt by Cornwall at slip off the bowling of Nkrumah Bonner.

Warrican ended with figures of 4 for 133 while Cornwall had 2 for 114. There was a wicket each for Bonner, Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel.

In reply, the West Indies found batting difficult against the swing and accuracy of fast-medium bowler Mustafizur Rahman who trapped John Campbell (3) and Shayne Moseley (2) lbw as the visitors slumped to 24 for 2.

However, Captain Kraigg Brathwaite survived a few anxious moments to get to the close unbeaten on 49. Bonner is at the other end on 17.

Bangladesh's revival was halted an hour before the scheduled end of the day due to bad light, but they now lead by 81 runs after conceding a 202-run lead in the first innings. 

The Proteas looked set to earn an innings victory at a canter when Mahmudul Hasan Joy (40) and Mushfiqur Rahim (33) were removed by Kagiso Rabada in quick succession.

Litton Das (7) was caught behind off Keshav Maharaj (3-105) shortly afterwards as Bangladesh slipped to 112-6 heading into the 35th over. 

But Mehidy and Jaker Ali (58) helped the hosts to within one of South Africa's lead at lunch before the second session was stopped for 78 minutes due to heavy rain in Mirpur. 

Jaker struck his maiden Test half-century before the delay in play before falling to Maharaj, but Mehidy and Nayeem Hasan (16 not out) remained calm at the crease as Bangladesh ended the day 283-7. 

Data Debrief: Mehidy masterclass

Bangladesh have lost five of their last seven men's Tests (W2), including losing each of the last two on the bounce, but Mehidy's knock has them in contention in Mirpur. 

Mehidy's 87 saw him register his ninth Test half-century and his fourth this year, smashing nine fours and one six during his 194-minute spell at the crease on Wednesday. 

The tourists have an unassailable lead in the series after getting their first win against Pakistan, whose only hope now is to get a tie after their early collapse on Sunday.

After a strong fourth day for Bangladesh, which saw Mushfiqur Rahim score 191 to give them control, Pakistan went into the final day trailing by 94 runs with Saim Ayub already dismissed.

Bangladesh's bowlers picked up where they left off, and Babar Azam’s stand ended on 22 before Shakib Al Hasan (3-44) and Mehidy (4-21) swiftly took care of the final seven wickets.

Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha were both dismissed for ducks, while only Mohammad Rizwan hit double figures (51) as Pakistan limped to 146.

That left Bangladesh with the simple target of 30 to hit, which they did inside seven overs, as Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam got them over the line. 

Data Debrief: Tourists find away joy

While the first Test finally came to life on the final day, Bangladesh had put themselves in a commanding position to earn a rare away Test victory.

It is just the third time in seven years that they have managed to win on the road, while they ensured Pakistan's winless run at home stretched on, with the hosts failing to win a Test at home since February 2021. 

Bangladesh are the first team to beat Pakistan in Pakistan by 10 wickets, and they will be hoping they can produce a similar display to win the series.

The medical team, on further assessment, determined that Forde must continue rehabilitation from a a sustained injury while Joseph is suffering from shin splints following the completion of the recent test series and will be monitored by the medical staff ahead of future assignments. 

Mindley bagged the most wickets as a fast bowler in the recent CG United Super 50 tournament with 20 to earn his maiden call up while Blades, who is part of the West Indies Academy, took 14 wickets in the regional tournament to receive his first call up to the squad. 

The two will join the rest of the squad on Thursday evening.

The first ODI is scheduled for Sunday, December 8 at Warner Park.

In the end, the 28-year-old Barbadian, who struck 20 fours and seven sixes, was unbeaten on 210, the second-highest score by a West Indian batsman on his Test debut. Only Lawrence Rowe’s 214 against New Zealand at Sabina Park in February 1972 was higher.

Mayers, the Man-of-the-Match, featured in a record stand of 216 with fellow debutant Nkrumah Bonner, who made a valiant 86 that laid the foundation for the incredible victory. It was the highest-ever fourth-wicket stand in the fourth innings of a Test match and led to the highest successful run chase in Asia.

Resuming from their overnight total of 110 for 3, needed a further 295 for victory, Mayers was on 37 and Bonner 15.

When Mayers got to 70 and Bonner 20, the pair that rode its luck early, put together the first 100-run partnership of the match for the West Indies. It took all of 205 balls. They took the score to 197 for 3 at lunch with Mayers unbeaten on 91 and Bonner on 43.

By tea, the score had swelled to 266 for 3 with Mayers on 117 and Bonner, 75.

At 275 for 3, the record stand was broken by Taijul Islam, who trapped Bonner lbw with a flatter length ball in the line of the stumps that the Jamaican looked to work it towards square leg but missed. His 86 came off 245 balls he faced in more than five and a half hours of resolute batting.

There were signs of a possible collapse when Nayeem Hasan bowled Jermaine Blackwood for 9 to make it 292 for 5. However, Joshua da Silva proved to be a stabilizing force, who with Mayers put on 100 runs for the sixth wicket that took the West Indies within three runs of an improbable victory.

The Trinidadian wicketkeeper/batsman faced 59 balls in his 83-minute stay before Taijul Islam bowled him for 20.

It was fitting that Mayers scored the winning run, a quick single to mid-on to hand the West Indies victory.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored a century in Bangladesh’s first innings score of 430, took 4-113, for eight wickets in the match.  He would have likely been Man-of-the-Match had it not been for Kyle Mayers’ historic knock.

 Scores: Bangladesh 430 and 223 for 8 declared; West Indies 259 and 395 for 7.

Hosts Pakistan fended off a mid-innings revival from Bangladesh, who improved from 107-5 to 214-6 before their last four wickets fell in quick succession.

Mithun, coming in at number six, held the innings together before falling for a battling 63, while Najmul Hossain Shanto weighed in with 44.

Pakistan's 19-year-old left-arm paceman Shaheen Afridi took 4-53, while Mohammad Abbas was economical and accurate in a supporting role, his 2-19 coming from 17 overs.

Bangladesh made a wretched start, losing Saif Hassan to the third ball of the morning and Tamim Iqbal in the next over, the openers both gone with just three runs on the board.

A stand of 59 between Najmul and Mominul Haque gave Bangladesh a platform of sorts, with the alliance ending when the latter fell for 30, edging Shaheen to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Najmul followed in much the same way, out for 44 when he was caught behind off Abbas' bowling.

Bangladesh were in trouble, five down, when Mahmudullah fell for 25 to a fine catch by Shafiq, giving Shaheen a third wicket.

Liton Das perished next, lbw for 33 to Haris Sohail after a Pakistan review. Taijul Islam made 24 before falling to the same bowler, with Shaheen then cleaning up Rubel Hossain for one.

Mithun impressed before gloving Naseem Shah to Rizwan, and his departure meant the innings was all over bar the shouting, with Abu Jayed run out in the next over.

Fading light meant Pakistan could not begin their reply before the close.

A quick glance at the record books will tell you that the hastily selected second-string unit is expected to have a difficult trip to Asia. The West Indies has won just one of the last seven ODIs against Bangladesh.  The most recent loss saw Bangladesh stroll to a comfortable 7-wicket win at the 2019 World Cup.  With several first-team players, including West Indies captain Jason Holder, in-form batsman Shai Hope, in the 50-over version anyway, and the explosive Shimron Hetmeyer are just a few of the players missing from the squad.  Their replacements will be short on experience.

While admitting that results will not be easy to come by for the series, Mohammed hopes to at least lead the team to consistent and calm performances.

“What I can bring to the table is being calm.  That’s one of the things that get us in trouble.  Speaking for myself, as an experienced player, sometimes when we overthink the situation, we just don’t stay calm in certain situations like bowling in the right areas, shot selections,” Mohammed told the Mason and Guest radio program.

“A lot has been said about the team going but I don’t think there will be a lot of pressure on us as players because at the end of the day we are going to represent the West Indies.  We still have a job to do.”

West Indies ODI Squad

Jason Mohammed (captain)

Sunil Ambris (vice-captain)

Nkrumah Bonner

Joshua Da Silva

Jahmar Hamilton

Chemar Holder

Akeal Hosein

Alzarri Joseph

Kyle Mayers

Andre McCarthy

Kjorn Ottley

Rovman Powell

Raymon Reifer

Romario Shepherd

Hayden Walsh jr

The skipper reached stumps unbeaten on 79 alongside Mushfiqur Rahim (32) as Bangladesh closed day two on 240-3 in reply to the tourists' 265 all out in Dhaka.

Najmul Hossain Shanto scored his maiden Test half-century before falling to debutant Charlton Tshuma for 71.

Tamim Iqbal contributed 41, Bangladesh responding well after the early dismissal of Saif Hassan (8) left them 18-1.

Zimbabwe had resumed the day on 228-6 but saw their tail cleaned up in relatively short order by the hosts.

Regis Chakabva (30) was the last wicket to fall in their first innings, Zimbabwe getting little from their batting line-up following captain Craig Ervine's century on day one.

The 36-year-old paceman first led the Tigers in white-ball cricket back in 2014 and has gone on to skipper his country 87 times in the shortest format.

Mortaza will get the opportunity to end his reign with a 50th ODI victory as captain when Bangladesh go in search of a 3-0 whitewash at Sylhet.

"I am leaving the Bangladesh captaincy," Mortaza said in a press conference on Thursday. "The third ODI is going to be my last game as captain.

"I took the decision myself. As a player, I will keep trying to give my best if I get the opportunity. I wish the next captain all the best.

"I believe that the Bangladesh team will reach the next stage under him. I will try to give him all the support through my experience.

"I think the three available senior players each have the ability to lead the side. Hope the BCB takes the best one of them."

Mortaza, now a member of parliament in Bangladesh, added: "I am everything due to cricket. If I didn't finish playing cricket, I would have been doing fish farming.

"My future definitely includes cricket, and if a player requires me, I will give it my best. I have to do my work in my constituency until the next election."

Wiaan Mulder became the third maiden centurion for the Proteas in the Test, with the tourists declaring on 575-6 before ripping through Bangladesh's top order to leave them 38-4 at stumps.

De Zorzi, the hero on day one, started at the crease with David Bedingham, and the pair continued to hammer home their advantage, adding significant runs to their overnight totals. 

Taijul Islam, on his way to a five-wicket haul, eventually got the wickets of Bedingham (59) and De Zorzi (177), only for Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy to take control. 

The duo put on an unbeaten partnership of 152 runs, after which South Africa declared their innings, with Mulder and Muthusamy ending on 105 and 68 respectively. 

Bangladesh then made a poor start to their chase, losing Shadman Islam for a duck in the first over, with Zakir Hasan (two), Mahmudul Hasan Joy (10) and Hasan Mahmud (three) falling shortly after. 

Mominul Haque (six) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (four) are the men tasked with starting Bangladesh's revival when play resumes on Thursday. 

Data Debrief: The Three Musketeers

Bangladesh last lost five matches in a row at home from October 2011 to November 2012, but look in serious danger of equalling that run after a rampant South Africa display.

And while the first day belonged to De Zorzi and Stubbs, the second day was all about Mulder's century and his partnership with Muthusamy. 

The pair added 152 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket, breaking South Africa's record for this wicket against Bangladesh from the previous Test in Dhaka, where Mulder and Kyle Verreynne had added 119.

Mulder also became the third batter to score his maiden Test century in Chattogram, after De Zorzi and Stubbs. Only once before have three batters scored their maiden Test tons in the same innings - Gerry Gomez, Robert Christiani and Clyde Walcott for West Indies against India in Delhi in 1948.

Bangladesh started day three of the only Test just 25 runs in arrears and with seven wickets in hand, and Mushfiqur's brilliant unbeaten 203, along with Mominul Haque's 132 and Liton Das' 53 helped them reach 560-6 when they declared.

The declaration came about after Mushfiqur passed 200 with his 28th four of a fine innings, the 32-year-old, whose top Test score is 219 not out, having now accounted for three of the five double centuries scored by a Bangladesh player in the longest format.

That gave them a lead of 295 runs and they were further boosted by Nayeem Hasan claiming two wickets in the opening over of Zimbabwe's second innings.

Both Prince Masvaure and Donald Tiripano fell without score in successive balls, Kevin Kasuza and Brendan Taylor then making it through to stumps with Zimbabwe 9-2 and 286 runs behind.

Having opted out of the Test match in Pakistan earlier in February due to security concerns, wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur returns for the game in Dhaka.

Uncapped duo Yasir Ali and Hasan Mahmud are also included in a 16-man party.

However, batsman Mahmudullah misses out after only posting one half-century in his last 10 Test innings. Fellow batsman Soumya Sarkar and pace-bowling duo Rubel Hossain and Al-Amin Hossain are also omitted.

Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz is fit again and there are recalls for left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman and paceman Taskin Ahmed.

"I believe we have selected the best possible Test squad under present circumstances. There is a very nice blend of experience and potential," said Panel Minhajul Abedin, Bangladesh's chairman of selectors.

The solitary Test against Zimbabwe begins at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on February 22.

Bangladesh Test squad: Mominul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed Chowdhury, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Yasir Ali.

Mushfiqur scored 191 before he was dismissed in the third session on Saturday, as Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 565.

After declaring on 448-6, Pakistan had been hoping to make inroads with the ball, but the day belonged to Bangladesh, with Shadman Islam (93), Mominul Haque (50), Litton Das (56) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (77) helping Mushfiqur along the way as the tourists mounted a huge total in Rawalpindi.

Naseem Shah was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers with 3-93, while Mohammad Ali (2-88) eventually ended Mushfiqur's momentous stand.

Bangladesh still had time to do some damage with the ball late on, with Shoriful Islam (1-13) dismissing Saim Ayub in the third over of Pakistan's second innings.

The hosts trail by 94 runs ahead of the final day, with a draw almost certainly the best Pakistan can hope for.

Data Debrief: Mushfiqur makes his mark in style

This was Mushfiqur's 11th Test ton, but his first against Pakistan in the format, and he did it in fantastic fashion, falling just short of a double-century.

Mushfiqur had not been in great form on the road before this match, either. Indeed, he had scored fewer than 10 runs in four of his last five innings away from home, but he is now clear of Tamim Iqbal in second place on the list of the most Test hundreds for Bangladesh.

The 31-year-old missed last year's World Cup due to a calf tear and, after a minor abdominal injury, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has suggested Ferguson could miss the ongoing tri-series in Christchurch.

The Blackcaps are already without Daryl Mitchell after the batter fractured his hand in training on Friday, while spinner Mitchell Santner will join the squad on Sunday after a paternity break.

"Lockie has a little ab injury at the moment. We're just managing that and the most important thing is we get to the start of the World Cup and Lockie is ready to go," Stead said.

"He's a very, very important cog in our bowling line-up. Unfortunately for him, he missed last year's World Cup with the injury he had then.

"I mean we are mindful of it and we want to make sure that he's right and ready for those early games in the World Cup.

"There is that chance [of him missing the entire tri-series]. We will just see how he responds to treatment over the next few days."

Adam Milne is another Blackcaps bowler to suffer from persistent injury issues, with New Zealand aiming to rebuild the 30-year-old's fitness ahead of the World Cup later this month.

"It's the first time I've had eyes live on Milne at the nets and he looked really good," Stead said.

"We're pleased with what we are seeing there and again he is coming off a reasonably extensive injury break as well, so just managing him and making sure he's right will be the most important thing for us in these four games."

While New Zealand scramble for options in their fast-bowling department, Mitchell hopes to be back in action ahead of the first game of the T20 World Cup against Australia on October 22.

"Obviously, not ideal timing, but we've got some good news around where the fracture is in the hand and the time frame to be ready for the first game in Australia in a couple of weeks' time," Mitchell told Spark Sport on the sidelines of New Zealand's tri-series opener against Pakistan on Saturday.

"We'll do everything we can to try and be ready and fingers crossed that I'll be good to go."

Wicketkeeper batsman Nicholas Pooran moved three spots to break into the top 10 after scores of 65 not out, 19 and 35 across the three games. The aggressive left-hander is now the Caribbean side’s highest-ranked batsman in the format, overtaking the injured Brandon King, who slipped one place down to 10 after he sat out the series.

Johnson Charles, who also didn’t feature in the series, also slipped one place down to 11^th, while West Indies captain Rovman Powell stood still at number 34.

Shai Hope continues to prove his worth in the games shortest format, as his scores of 51, 41, and an unbeaten 42 saw him jump 32 places up to 40th, overtaking out-of-favour Kyle Mayers, who slipped three spots down to 42^nd as the next West Indies players in the top 50.

Despite the loss, South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks also made gains, as he moved up to 13^th position.

In the bowling rankings, West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein of moved up four places to second position after taking four wickets in three matches. He was joined by fellow left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who moved 10 slots up to third, while Romario Shepherd moved 13 spots up to 31st position.

Alzarri Joseph, who slipped four spots to 15^th, Jason Holder (44^th) and left-arm seamer Obed McCoy (50^th) are the other West Indies bowlers in the top 50.

Meanwhile, England batter Harry Brook moved up to fourth position, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Rizwan have reached career-best positions in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings after their fine performances over the past week.

Brook’s scores of 56 and 32 in the first match of their ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka in Manchester lifted him three places to fourth position, just one adrift of his career-best third position attained following his second-innings century against the West Indies at Trent Bridge last month.

Bangladesh batter Mushfiq’s match-winning 191 in the first Test of the WTC series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi has helped him advance seven places to a career-best-equalling 17^th position, while Pakistan’s Rizwan is in the top 10 for the first time after scores of 171 not out and 51.

Others to move up the Test rankings include Sri Lanka batters Dinesh Chandimal (up four places to 23^rd) and Kamindu Mendis (up eight places to 36^th), Bangladesh’s Liton Das (up two places to 27^th) and England’s Jamie Smith (up 22 places to 42^nd).

In the Test bowling rankings, England’s Chris Woakes is up four places to 16^th after taking three wickets each in both innings against Sri Lanka while Asitha Fernando is up 10 places to 17^th after also finishing with six wickets in the match.

Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah (up four places to 33^rd), England’s new-ball bowler Gus Atkinson (up four places to 42^nd) and Matthew Potts (up five places to 57^th) are the prominent movers in the bowling rankings.

Bangladesh had already clinched a series victory going into the final contest in Dhaka, but rounded things off in style with a 60-run victory. 

The hosts reached 122-8 on a surface that consistently proved challenging to bat on, before Shakib Al Hasan took over with ball in hand.

Shakib took 4-9 from 3.4 overs, while Mohammad Saifuddin claimed 3-12 as Australia were dismissed with just 13.4 overs bowled.

Afterwards, stand-in captain Matthew Wade, who top-scored for Australia with 22, found little reason to be upbeat following the 4-1 series defeat.

"It's hard to say there will be more positives. Certainly a great learning opportunity for our group," Wade said. 

"I've played for a few years now, [these were] certainly the toughest conditions to play T20 cricket in.

"It wasn't our series unfortunately. There's no excuses of not playing enough cricket. We had enough cricket in the West Indies to come and play good cricket, we just didn't."

Shakib stars

Shakib's masterful display with the ball saw 15 of his 22 deliveries produce dot balls.

Finishing the series with seven wickets at an average of 18.14 and 114 runs at a strike rate of 100.88, no player did more for Bangladesh as they clinched back-to-back bilateral T20I series wins for the first time in their history, following up the triumph over Zimbabwe in emphatic fashion.

"Thanks to my team-mates, this achievement wouldn't have been possible without their help," said Shakib. "I think we played some really good cricket through two series, in Zimbabwe and here. Obviously the wicket was tough, but we held our nerve well."

Modest totals beyond tourists

No match in the series produced an aggregate score of over 244 as both teams found posting big totals difficult.

However, the difference was that Bangladesh scored at least 120 in all but one match. Australia, missing several key players such as Steve Smith and David Warner, managed that feat just once.

Wade admitted as much, adding: "Credit to Bangladesh, they did well. We really had to scrounge, their batsmen found a way to get there [110-120 totals].

"Our bowling was good, but we just didn't have enough runs on the board. We've got to find a way to get better in spinning conditions."

The Caribbean team will take on Bangladesh with somewhat of an unfamiliar line-up, having seen several players pull out of the tour due to concerns regarding the coronavirus.  Among the replacements will be four Test players who are still looking for their first cap and 7 One Day International (ODI) players who could be playing for the first time.

An unexpected and surprise selection for the West Indies squad could, however, gift some players with a platform to make their case for regular inclusion in the first team squad.  Mohammed, however, does not expect that fact to put added pressure on himself or the other batsmen to perform well during the series.

“I wouldn’t say it more pressure there are young guys who are obviously looking to play international cricket.  I don’t think it’s more pressure, I think it’s an ideal opportunity for all of us,” Mohammed told members of the media on Thursday.

“We can put our hands up and say we are ready for international cricket.  I do not think it is more pressure for us, I would say we are just looking forward to the opportunity.”

Naseem reduced Bangladesh from 124-2 to 124-5 as he removed Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taijul Islam and Mahmudullah with successive deliveries.

His spectacular effort came six days before he turns 17 and provided further evidence of his emergence at international level, barely six weeks after becoming the youngest paceman to take a five-wicket haul in Tests.

That 5-31 performance against Sri Lanka in late December tied up a Test win over Sri Lanka in Karachi, and this time it was the Rawalpindi crowds who were treated to a show from the teenager.

His hat-trick began with a review following a loud lbw appeal, with Naseem and his team-mates confident he had Shanto pinned in front. Replays showed the ball would have struck leg stump.

Taijul came out as a nightwatchman but hopes he would block out the rest of the day were shattered when Naseem produced a sizzling delivery that struck him on the pads, leaving no doubt it was a second wicket in two balls.

Bangladesh sent out Mahmudullah next, hoping the frontline batsman would prove more resilient, but he flung the bat and got a big edge that was taken expertly at first slip by Haris Sohail.

Naseem soon left the action, reportedly for treatment, but Bangladesh lost a sixth batsman before the close, Mohammad Mithun bowled by Yasir Shah before he had a run to his name.

Pakistan - who made 445 in their first innings - looked to be heading to an innings victory, with Bangladesh, on 126-6 at stumps, still trailing by 86 runs with four second-innings wickets standing.

The home team began Sunday's third day of the match on 342-3 and had Babar Azam at the crease on 143 not out.

However, he fell to the second ball of the morning without adding to his overnight score, while Asad Shafiq only progressed from 60 to 65 before he too was dismissed, with Abu Jayed and Ebadat Hossain the bowlers striking early.

Haris Sohail made a swift 75 to stretch Pakistan's lead to 212 runs, hitting seven fours and two sixes.

Naseem then struck in the ninth over of Bangladesh's innings when he bowled Saif Hassan, and Yasir had Tamim Iqbal pegged lbw for 34.

Bangladesh rebuilt, but Naseem halted a 71-run stand between Shanto and Mominul Haque with the first wicket of his hat-trick.

Figures of 4-26 in 8.2 overs reflected his contribution, the youngster becoming just the fourth Pakistan bowler to snaffle a Test hat-trick after Wasim Akram, who achieved the feat twice, Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Sami.

Azhar Ali's men edged Sri Lanka 1-0 in December and are looking to strengthen their World Test Championship prospects before the mid-year tour of England.

The first Test against ninth-ranked Bangladesh begins on February 11, with off-spinner Asif hoping to appear in the international arena for the first time since 2018.

Kashif Bhatti and Usman Shinwari, neither of whom featured against Sri Lanka, have been omitted from the squad.

Head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq said the 34-year-old and the versatile Faheem, a powerful hitter who bowls medium pace, have been called-up with a view to exploiting Bangladesh's left-handed batsmen.

"Following our convincing victory in Karachi, I don't envisage any major changes in the playing line-up but we have tried to cover all our bases just in case the wicket has any surprises for us," Misbah said in a statement.

"We are aiming to collect maximum points from the two upcoming ICC World Test Championship matches against Bangladesh so that when we take the field for the Lord's Test against England on 30 July, we are in a strong contention for a top-two finish by the end of the 2020-21 season.

"This is what our aspiration is and that’s what are aiming and striving for."

The second and final Test will take place in April after the Bangladesh Cricket Board agreed to participate in a three-part tour.

Pakistan squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Asif, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah.

Pakistan's Champions Trophy campaign ended with a washout, as their meeting with Bangladesh was abandoned without a ball being bowled.