Pakistan, May 8 -- Bangladesh and Pakistan open their two-match Test series in Mirpur on Friday, with the hosts aiming to complete a remarkable double after their historic away whitewash in 2024.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has made no secret of his ambitions, insisting his side must post big first-innings totals to give their potent pace attack the platform to take 20 wickets.

"The important thing is scoring runs. If we score 400 in 80 overs, no problem. If someone takes 120 overs, I also have no problem," Shanto told a pre-match news conference on Thursday. "So the runs are important."

The pitch at Mirpur, which carries a grassy tinge ahead of the first day, has set the tone for what promises to be a pace-dominated conte...