BAN look to Shakib for 'something special' against pace-heavy PAK

Bangladesh is pinning its hopes on all-rounder and former lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan to "do something special against pace-heavy Pakistan in the opening test of the two-match series, starting Wednesday.

(Shakib) played this game for so long, so he knows his role, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said on the eve of the first test match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

He knows how to prepare himself, so I am not thinking about his political career and I hope he will do something special in this series. He's a professional cricketer and we all treat him as a cricketer, to be very honest.

Bangladesh's most accomplished all-rounder, spin great Shakib was playing in the T20 league in Canada during political turmoil in his country back home.

The unrest hampered preparations and Bangladesh flew to Pakistan four days ahead of schedule to get an additional three days of training in Lahore.

Rawalpindi will host both the test matches.

The series is part of the World Test Championship in