Sports Desk:

The Bangladesh A team will take on their Pakistan counterparts in the first four-day game at Islamabad today, with the players called up for the national team gearing up for match practice ahead of the upcoming Test series against Pakistan.

Players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque, who are integral parts of the Bangladesh Test team, will play the first four-dayer.

Since they have been away from competitive cricket for a long time, the match is imperative to get them into rhythm.

Also, the other players have the chance to push them for the Test selection as the selection panel led by Gazi Ashraf Hossain will have an eye on the series.

The second string Bangladesh was supposed to reach Pakistan on August 6 for the series, but due to the unrest in the country, the tour was delayed.

Later, the two boards reached a consensus to revise the itinerary to make the tour happen smoothly.

The team, however, reached Islamabad on August 10 and had the chance to practice for two days before taking on Pakistan A.

The second four-day game is from August 20-23, as per the revised itinerary.

The three one-day matches are scheduled to be held on August 26, 28, and 30. All of the four- and one-day matches will be held in Islamabad.

The A team’s tour will coincide with the Bangladesh national team’s tour in Pakistan. The national team, which had already reached Lahore, however, will play a two-match Test series.

The first Test starts on August 21 in Rawalpindi. Karachi will host the second and final Test on August 30.