LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first in the third and final T20 International (T20I) against Bangladesh at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
With the series already in the bag, the home side is looking to complete a clean sweep in the three-match series. Pakistan lead 2-0, having secured comprehensive victories in the first two games at the same venue.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha announced one change in the playing XI, bringing in pacer Abbas Afridi in place of Haris Rauf, who has been rested for the final game.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, made a forced change, replacing injured pacer Shoriful Islam with Khaled Ahmed.
The series has seen multiple changes since it was first announced. Originally scheduled to feature three T20Is and two ODIs, the tour was modified after mutual agreement between the two cricket boards.
The ODIs were scrapped and replaced by two additional T20Is. However, the final structure was again revised, with the tour ultimately limited to three T20Is, all held in Lahore.
Both sides came into the final encounter with contrasting forms. Pakistan are enjoying a strong comeback after their recent 4-1 T20I series loss in New Zealand, having registered back-to-back wins over Bangladesh, including a dominant 57-run victory in the second match. Bangladesh, on the other hand, are on a three-match losing streak.
In the head-to-head record, Pakistan hold a significant advantage. The two teams have faced each other 21 times in T20Is, with Pakistan winning 18 matches while Bangladesh have managed just three victories.
Pakistan Playing XI
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (c), Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed.
Bangladesh Playing XI
Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (c), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed.
