LAHORE: The phase is set for the extremely expected three-match T20I series between hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh, with the initial match scheduled to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
The Men in Green will be watching improvement after sorrow a historic Test series whitening at the hands of the Bengal Tigers last year a first-ever 2-0 Test defeat on homebased soil against Bangladesh.
This T20I series offerings a golden opportunity for Pakistan to turn the current.
Pakistan goals to start the series on a high letter by catching a strong playing XI capable of contradicting Bangladesh’s strong bowling attack.
Sahibzada Farhan is probable to open the innings for Pakistan.
The right-hander made his international memory next a solar performance in the lately concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.
Representative Islamabad United, Farhan arisen as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, buildup 449 runs in 12 matches at an imposing strike rate of 152.20, including three fifties and a century.
Connection him at the top will be the returning Saim Ayub, who is making his retaliation to international cricket after recovering from an injury continued during the South Africa Test series last year.
Experienced left-hander Fakhar Zaman is predictable to bat at the vital number three position. The middle order will feature young talent Hassan Nawaz alone skipper Salman Ali Agha adding constancy and talent.
The likely XI also comprises two in-form all-rounders: vice-captain Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf both of whom brought reliably strong performances through PSL 10.
The bowling attack will be led by Haris Rauf and the returning Hasan Ali, bringing step and violence.
Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, who was unresolved with the ball in the PSL by demanding 17 wickets, will add diversity to the attack.
It is relevant to reference that the last T20I series between the two sides took place in 2021 when Pakistan sightseen Bangladesh and clean-swept the hosts 3-0.
Factually, Pakistan has conquered the T20I head-to-head against Bangladesh, winning 16 out of 19 encounters. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has tenable just three wins a greatest they’ll be keen to improve in this series.
Pakistan’s likely XI for first Bangladesh T20I:
Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk) and Saim Ayub.
Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I series schedule:
- 28 May – 1st T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 30 May – 2nd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 1 June – 3rd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
