ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national cricket team has begun its journey to Bangladesh for a three-match T20 International series, with the first group of players departing from Karachi to Dhaka via Dubai on Tuesday night.
The travelling contingent includes Salman Ali Agha, who will lead the side, along with Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, and Faheem Ashraf.
Several members of the support staff have also accompanied the players. The second group is scheduled to leave for Dhaka on the morning of July 16.
Pakistan and Bangladesh will play three T20Is on July 20, 22, and 24 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
The tour is expected to test Pakistan’s young squad in challenging spin-friendly conditions.
The 15-member squad includes a blend of emerging talent and experienced campaigners.
The full list comprises Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Salman Ali Agha, and Sufiyan Muqeem. Mohammad Haris and Sahibzada Farhan will serve as wicketkeepers for the tour.
Mike Hesson will coach the team during the series, with Shane McDermott as fielding coach, Grant Luden as strength and conditioning coach, and Naveed Akram Cheema serving as team manager.
Prior to the team’s departure, a six-day training camp was held at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
The camp involved all 15 selected players, along with other white-ball regulars such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim Jr.
The camp concluded with a floodlit intra-squad match between Salman XI and Saim XI, offering coaches a final opportunity to assess form and match readiness.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged the tough challenge ahead.
“We will not take Bangladesh lightly. They are strong in home conditions and particularly dangerous on turning pitches,” he said.
He expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation and highlighted the depth of Pakistan’s spin attack, pointing to the capabilities of Abrar Ahmed and others.
“We worked hard in camp to simulate the conditions we expect in Dhaka. Captaincy is a responsibility I accept with pride, and I believe we have the talent to deliver strong performances,” he added.
Following the Bangladesh series, the Pakistan team will travel to the United States for a T20I series against the West Indies in Florida from 1 to 4 August, followed by a three-match ODI series in Trinidad and Tobago from 8 to 12 August.
