The first Twenty20 International between Pakistan and Bangladesh being playing today in Mirpur, Dhaka. Salman Agha leading a comparative young side for three-match T20I series in Mirpur, Dhaka between July 20 and 24.
Originally, the tour was scheduled as a three ODIs under the Future Tours Programme (FTP). However, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled in 2026, both the boards mutually agreed with a three-match T20I series.
The T20I matches will serve as preparation for both teams ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup and 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. The Pakistan cricket team enters its upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh with strong
expectations of securing a victory in the three-match showdown. Pakistan’s squad boasts a mix of experienced campaigners and talented emerging players, aiming to showcase their skills and maintain their winning momentum. With a potent batting lineup and a disciplined bowling attack, Pakistan’s chances of clinching the series appear promising.
Shadab has recently undergone surgery on his right shoulder and is currently recovering. Rauf, meanwhile, picked up a hamstring injury at the MLC, which has ruled him out of San Francisco Unicorns’ playoff matches.
Apart from them, Irfan Khan Niazi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim and Naseem Shah have been left out. Hasan, who was the top wicket-taker when Bangladesh toured Pakistan earlier, has been allowed to continue playing in England while selectors try out other options. Naseem and Shaheen Shah Afridi – also absent – are being considered for ODIs by Pakistan for the moment.
The last T20 series between the two teams was played in May-June in Pakistan that won by the home side 3-0. This is the second T20I series Pakistan will be playing under new white-ball coach Mike Hesson, with the next T20 World Cup scheduled for early 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. In the current series, selectors rested senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, In a strategic move aimed at nurturing emerging talent ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a provisional squad for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies. The series, scheduled to take place in early August across Lauderhill and Tarouba, will see several seasoned players absent due to injuries, including Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hassan Ali, however, have been included in the squad.
The selection marks a significant opportunity for young prospects such as Ahmed Daniyal, a medium pacer making his international debut, and Salman Mirza, a left-arm fast bowler who has yet to be capped at the international level. Left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, with just ten T20I appearances, is also part of the development plan.
The inclusion of these emerging players underscores the PCB’s focus on building a competitive squad by drawing on strong performances in domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Among the newcomers, Hasan Nawaz, who debuted earlier this year, has already showcased his potential with 399 runs in ten PSL innings, maintaining a striking strike rate of 162.19. Abbas Afridi, boasting 21 T20I appearances since last year, proved his mettle as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in PSL with 17 dismissals.
Additionally the board is in negotiations with Cricket West Indies to potentially expand the tour into more T20Is, emphasising the significance of T20 cricket ahead of the ICC World Cup.
Before this series, in all 22 T20I matches have been played between the two teams, and the Greenshirts clearly edge with 19 wins while Bangladesh won only three matches.
Pakistan’s 203-5 in Karachi on 20th April, 2008 is the highest team total between the two. Greenshirts four times scored over 200 runs while Bangladesh’s 196-6 in Lahore on 1st June, 2025 is the best innings their total.
Bangladesh’s 85-9 in 20 overs on 29th November, 2011 in Mirpur is the lowest innings total between the two teams. Bengal tigers restricted Pakistan on 127-5 in the same tour and on the same ground is the lowest Pakistan’s innings total.
Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan is the most successful batsmen from the two teams with 360 runs in 11 matches, averaging 40 and a strike rate of 132.35. He scored four half centuries.
For Pakistan, former captain Mohammad Hafeez scored most 277 runs in 10 T20I, averaging 34.62 and a strike rate of 112.14 with the help of two fifties. Wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan is just behind him with 274 runs in nine games, but he has an impressive average of 54.80, striking rate 113.22 including two half centuries.
In 22 Twenty20 internationals between the two countries, only two centuries scored, both by the Pakistani batsmen – Ahmed Shehzad 111 not out and Mohammad Haris 107 not out. Shakib Al Hasan’s 84 is the best individual score from the Bengal tigers.
On the bowling side, Pakistan’s leg-spinner Shadab Khan is the most successful bowler with 12 wickets in 10 matches with an average of 21. From Bangladesh Taskin Ahmed taken most eight wickets in nine appearances, averaging 28.37.
Despite Pakistan enters as favorites, they must remain cautious of the spirited Bangladeshi side, but the home side cannot be underestimated, especially when playing on their home ground.
The pitch conditions and energetic home crowd often give the hosts a significant advantage, making the series more challenging for the visitors. Bangladesh’s squad has shown resilience and improvement in recent years, with their players capable of causing upsets, particularly in familiar conditions. Their spinners and pace bowlers are adept at exploiting the pitch and supporting their batters to capitalise on any scoring opportunities.
Bangladesh are eager to defend home turf and demonstrate their growth on the international stage. This series promises to be a competitive encounter, with Pakistan looking to assert their dominance, but Bangladesh well-positioned to deliver a tough challenge. Fans can anticipate a gripping contest as both teams battle for supremacy.
With the T20 World Cup less than a year away, both teams will take valuable lessons from this series as they prepare for tougher international tests ahead.
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