Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I Series to Begin on Sunday in Dhaka

LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan’s men’s cricket team will begin their three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh on Sunday, 20 May, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Saturday.

The remaining matches of the series will be played on 22 and 24 May at the same venue.

This is Pakistan’s first tour to Bangladesh since December 2021. The visiting team arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday after completing an intensive training camp in Karachi.

Trophy reveal in Dhaka 🏆

Pakistan captain @SalmanAliAgha1 with his Bangladesh counterpart Litton Das ahead of the #BANvPAK T20Is 🇵🇰🇧🇩🏏#BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/Z8Supv1ueA

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 19, 2025

According to a press release issued by the PCB, the series marks Pakistan’s fourth T20I campaign under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha, who has previously led the side in 12 matches.

The squad includes two uncapped players — pacers Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Salman Mirza — both of whom are in contention to make their international debuts during the series.

At a pre-match press conference, skipper Salman Ali Agha emphasised the importance of adapting to the conditions.

“We have changed the way we want to play but knowing the conditions is going to be the key,” he said.

“If the conditions allow us to play aggressively, we will do so. Otherwise, we’ll adapt accordingly.”

Salman also underlined the strength of the hosts, stating, “Bangladesh are a tough opposition, especially in their home conditions. We know what challenges await and we are very excited to play here.”

Pakistan has won 19 of the 22 T20Is played against Bangladesh since their first meeting in Nairobi in 2007.

The touring side will be without several senior players for the second consecutive series. Former captains Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been rested as selectors continue to test bench strength in preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled for February–March 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Vice-captain Shadab Khan is recovering from shoulder surgery in England, while pacer Haris Rauf sustained a hamstring injury during a recent T20 league match in the United States.

Pakistan Squad

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim.

Bangladesh Squad

Litton Das (captain/wicket-keeper), Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Parvez Hossain Emon, Rishad Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Shamim Hossain Patwari, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy.

ICC T20I Rankings and Stakes

Currently, Pakistan ranks 8th with a rating of 231, while Bangladesh is 10th at 220. A series win is pivotal for both teams—Pakistan aims to close in on Sri Lanka (7th) and West Indies (6th), while Bangladesh looks to leapfrog Afghanistan (9th).

With world champions India leading at 271, the battle in Dhaka offers crucial momentum in the global T20I pecking order.