Pakistan's Young Talent Azan Awais Earns Test Debut Against Bangladesh

Key facts

• Azan Awais, 21, makes his Test debut for Pakistan against Bangladesh.
• Awais scored 844 runs at an average of 76.7 in the 2024/25 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
• He has yet to play a senior T20 match.
• Abdullah Fazal also debuts for Pakistan in the same Test.
• Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and chose to bowl first.
• Babar Azam is absent from the Pakistan squad due to a left knee injury.
• The first Test begins Friday in Dhaka.

A Rapid Ascent to the Test Arena

Pakistan's Test cricket journey resumes with a tour of Bangladesh, and among the new faces stepping into the longest format is 21-year-old opening batter Azan Awais. His call-up follows a meteoric rise through the domestic ranks, culminating in a Test debut that underscores his prodigious talent. Awais's inclusion marks a significant moment for a player who has demonstrated remarkable consistency and a flair for big scores. Remarkably, for a young cricketer in the modern era, Awais has yet to feature in a senior T20 match. His focus has been squarely on the red-ball game, where he has steadily built a reputation for his solid technique and ability to accumulate runs. This deliberate path has now led him to the pinnacle of the sport, ready to test his skills against international competition. The tour of Bangladesh is Pakistan's first Test assignment before they travel to England later in the summer. The opening match, held in Dhaka, sees Pakistan captain Shan Masood win the toss and opt to bowl first against the hosts.

A Domestic Career Defined by Runs

Awais has been a fixture in Pakistan's domestic setup since the age of 16. His early promise was evident in the PCB U16 One-Day Tournament in February 2021, where he finished as the third-highest run-scorer, averaging nearly 60. By the end of that year, he was competing at the U19 level in three-day cricket, maintaining an average of 50 across five matches in the 2021/22 season. His performances at the 2024 U19 World Cup in South Africa, where he registered two half-centuries including one in the semi-final against eventual champions Australia, preceded his breakout first-class season. During the 2024/25 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Awais amassed a competition-leading 844 runs at an impressive average of 76.7, notching four centuries along the way. The subsequent President's Trophy saw him score another 578 runs, crossing the fifty-run mark five times in 14 innings. His consistency continued into the 2025/26 season with a second consecutive 800-run campaign in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Despite a more modest average of 32 in the President's Trophy that year, Awais had clearly done enough to capture the attention of the national selectors.

Debutants and Notable Absences

Awais is not the only new face in Pakistan's Test XI for this series opener; Abdullah Fazal also earns his maiden Test cap. The selection of these young talents signals a potential shift in the team's composition and a look towards the future. Meanwhile, the absence of star batter Babar Azam is a significant development. Azam was ruled out of the opening Test after sustaining a left knee injury in the lead-up to the match. His unavailability leaves a considerable gap in Pakistan's middle order, placing further responsibility on the shoulders of emerging players. Pakistan captain Shan Masood confirmed the team's decision to bowl first after winning the toss on Friday. This strategic choice will see Bangladesh bat in the opening session of the two-match Test series.

Context of Recent Test Series

Pakistan's return to Test cricket follows a drawn two-match series against South Africa in October of the previous year. Pakistan had secured a 93-run victory in the first Test, ending South Africa's impressive 10-match winning streak, before succumbing to an eight-wicket defeat in the second encounter. Bangladesh, in their most recent Test series, emerged victorious with a 2-0 sweep against Ireland in a home series concluded in November. These results provide a backdrop to the current series, highlighting the varied fortunes of both teams in the red-ball format. The second Test of the current series is scheduled to commence on May 16 in Sylhet, located in eastern Bangladesh, offering another opportunity for both sides to assert dominance.

Other Emerging Talents

The selectors have also shown faith in wicketkeeper Ghori, who earned a call-up to the Test squad for the same role. Ghori's selection comes after he averaged barely 20 in List A cricket during his ODI debut in Bangladesh earlier this year. Selector Sarfaraz Ahmed had then stated that Ghori was the best option for the middle order as a backup for Mohammad Rizwan, a role he now fills in the Test setup. Ghori has distinguished himself more in red-ball cricket, averaging 40 as a wicketkeeper in the domestic U19 three-day tournament in 2020/21 and repeating that feat in his first full first-class tournament, the President's Trophy in 2023/24. His career has largely been within the department-level President's Trophy for the State Bank of Pakistan, where he has amassed 937 runs in 15 games over the last two seasons, averaging 42.6, with two centuries, four fifties, and 47 dismissals behind the stumps. Additionally, the report notes the rising profile of Minhas' younger brother, Sameer, who has garnered attention for his performances for Pakistan U19 and in the PSL. Arafat, also 21, has already represented Pakistan in T20I cricket, debuting at the 2023 Asian Games. His breakout PSL season in 2026 saw him take nine wickets with his left-arm spin and score at a rapid pace with the bat.

The bottom line

• Azan Awais, a 21-year-old opening batter, makes his Test debut for Pakistan against Bangladesh.
• Awais's rapid ascent is marked by exceptional domestic red-ball performances, including 844 runs at 76.7 in the 2024/25 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
• He has not yet played a senior T20 match, focusing instead on the longer format.
• Abdullah Fazal is also set to debut for Pakistan in the same Test match.
• Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and chose to bowl first in the series opener in Dhaka.
• Star batter Babar Azam is unavailable for the match due to a left knee injury.