England expect Bangladesh’s pace attack to pose a major challenge when they tour the country for a two-Test series in February 2027, with national selector Marcus North warning that the visitors will need a squad capable of handling different conditions.
Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast, North praised Bangladesh’s progress in Test cricket and said England would have to prepare for more than the hosts’ traditionally strong spin attack.
“They are a good cricket team now, a good Test team,” North said.
Bangladesh’s pace attack has emerged as a significant strength, with Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain among the options ahead of the series. Their growing influence has changed the perception of Bangladesh as a side that relies predominantly on spin, particularly at home.
“It’s not just going over there and facing good spinners; they’ve got some very good quicks, so we know that’s going to be a good test. But we need to have a squad that can give us all options in those conditions as well.”
The two-match series will be part of the ongoing 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Bangladesh will have four Tests before England’s arrival, with two against the West Indies followed by two away Tests against South Africa.
The Tigers currently sit fourth in the WTC standings with 40 points and a points percentage of 55.56 from six matches, having won three, lost two and drawn one. England are sixth with a points percentage of 38.54 from 17 Tests, winning seven, losing eight and drawing one.
The last time the sides met in a Test series in Bangladesh was in 2016. England won the Chattogram Test before Bangladesh secured their first-ever Test victory over England in Mirpur, levelling the two-match series 1-1.
