Bangladesh and Pakistan will meet in the second Test of the 2026 series at Sylhet, with the hosts carrying a 1-0 advantage after a commanding victory in the opening match. Pakistan now face a must-win situation to avoid a series defeat, while Bangladesh will aim to continue their impressive dominance at home.
Match details
Venue: Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
Date: Friday, May 16 to Tuesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM IST | 9:30 AM PKT | 4:30 AM GMT
Team Overviews
Bangladesh
Bangladesh national cricket team enter the second Test with enormous confidence after defeating Pakistan by 104 runs in the opening match of the series. The hosts outplayed Pakistan in crucial moments and displayed greater control with both bat and ball throughout the contest.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led from the front with outstanding batting performances across both innings. Mominul Haque also delivered consistently, while Mushfiqur Rahim provided valuable middle-order stability.
Bangladesh’s bowling attack proved decisive during the final innings of the first Test. Nahid Rana produced a brilliant spell to dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup, while Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz continued to exploit spin-friendly conditions effectively.
With momentum firmly on their side, Bangladesh will look to complete a memorable series victory at Sylhet.
Pakistan
Pakistan national cricket team suffered a disappointing defeat in the opening Test despite several encouraging batting performances. Pakistan competed strongly during large parts of the match but failed to handle Bangladesh’s bowling attack during the decisive fourth innings chase.
Azan Awais impressed with a century in the first innings, while Abdullah Fazal continued his excellent form with important contributions in both innings. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha also added valuable runs in the middle order.
Pakistan’s bowling attack showed promise through Mohammad Abbas, who claimed six wickets in the first Test. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Noman Ali also contributed, but the visitors struggled to consistently apply pressure during Bangladesh’s second innings.
The visitors will need a far stronger collective performance if they hope to level the series in Sylhet.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Test Record
| Matches Played | Bangladesh Won | Pakistan Won | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Series Context | Bangladesh lead 1-0 | – | – |
Bangladesh currently lead the two-match series after securing a comprehensive victory in the opening Test.
Pitch Report
The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has historically produced balanced Test surfaces that gradually favour spinners as the match progresses. Batting conditions are generally better during the opening two days before cracks and rough patches begin assisting spin bowlers heavily in the latter stages.
The average fourth-innings score at the venue stands at 176, which highlights the increasing difficulty of chasing targets during the final innings. Fast bowlers may still find movement with the new ball early in the match, particularly during morning sessions.
Spinners are expected to play a major role once again, especially from Day 3 onwards.
Key Players
Najmul Hossain Shanto
Najmul Hossain Shanto has been the standout batter of the series so far. The Bangladesh captain scored 188 runs in the opening Test and anchored the innings superbly under pressure.
Babar Azam
Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s biggest batting hope despite not making a major contribution in the first Test. Pakistan will expect their premier batter to produce a defining innings in the series-deciding contest.
Nahid Rana
Nahid Rana delivered one of the most impactful spells of the first Test by claiming five wickets in the final innings. His pace and aggression troubled Pakistan consistently.
Khurram Shahzad
Khurram Shahzad could become crucial for Pakistan in Sylhet conditions because of his ability to extract seam movement with the new ball.
Probable Playing XIs
Bangladesh Probable XI
Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, Nayeem Hasan
Pakistan Probable XI
Shan Masood (C), Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Agha, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Khurram Shahzad
Probable Match Scenarios
If Bangladesh bat first, they will aim to post a first-innings total above 320 while relying on their spinners to dominate during the latter stages of the Test.
If Pakistan secure strong partnerships during the opening innings, they could place Bangladesh under pressure and attempt to force the hosts into a fourth-innings chase.
The battle between Bangladesh’s spin attack and Pakistan’s middle order may ultimately decide the outcome of the Test.
Live Streaming and Broadcast Details
India
TV Broadcast: FanCode, Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: FanCode
Pakistan
TV Broadcast: PTV Sports, A Sports
Live Streaming: Tamasha
Bangladesh
TV Broadcast: GTV, T Sports
Live Streaming: Toffee
United Kingdom
TV Broadcast: TNT Sports
Live Streaming: Discovery+
Australia
TV Broadcast: Fox Cricket
Live Streaming: Kayo Sports
Match Prediction
Bangladesh enter the second Test with momentum, home advantage, and greater confidence after their convincing performance in the opening match. Their bowling attack appears particularly well suited to Sylhet conditions, especially once the pitch begins assisting spin later in the game.
Pakistan possess enough batting depth to challenge Bangladesh strongly, particularly if Babar Azam, Rizwan, and Salman Agha contribute heavily. However, the visitors must improve significantly against spin and avoid middle-order collapses if they hope to level the series.
Considering current form and home conditions, Bangladesh appear slight favourites to win the second Test and complete a memorable series victory.
