Rain washes out opening day of Pakistan-Bangladesh second Test

Heavy rain washed out the first day of the second and final Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Overnight downpours delayed the toss and after more monsoon rains, umpires abandoned play for the day shortly after midday.

"The first day's play has been called off due to persistent rain and wet outfield," Pakistan Cricket Board said. Neither team left their hotels.

Hosts Pakistan are desperate to square the two-match series after Bangladesh won the first Test, also in Rawalpindi, on Sunday.

Bangladesh's 10-wicket victory was their first in 14 Tests against Pakistan.

Pakistan have left out pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi from their 12-member squad, allowing him time to spend with his newly born son.

Bangladesh are aiming to win only their third away series since gaining Test status in 2000, having beaten the West Indies (2009) and Zimbabwe (2021).

Pakistan has announced the names of 12 players for the match, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is not included in the team, and spinner Abrar Ahmed has succeeded in making a place in the squad.

The second test between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled for today at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

In the two-match series, Bangladesh has a one-zero lead, as in the first match, Pakistan was defeated by 10 wickets. Pakistan will have to win the match to level the series.

The batting performance of the Pakistani batters during the first Test, in which the hosts lost to the visitors by 10 wickets, was not up to the mark.

The visitors upset a normally formidable home team with a clinical ten-wicket display in the first Test—Bangladesh's first win in over 14 encounters against Pakistan. 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that students can receive free entry to the second Test match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from August 30 to September 3.

To gain access to the stadium, students are required to be in uniform and present their educational institution ID cards. They are allowed to watch the match from any of the premium enclosures, including those with Miran Bakhsh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, and Yasir Arafat.

Additionally, a free shuttle bus service is also available for spectators. However, the free entry policy does not apply to the PCB Gallery or Platinum Boxes.

Third ODI between A-teams:

The third One Day International (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh A teams was also delayed due to rain in Islamabad today (Friday).

Reporter: Rozina Ali