Bangladesh take Sri Lanka momentum into contest against bogey team Pakistan
Pakistan have dominated Bangladesh in T20Is, but the hosts will take confidence from their series win over Sri Lanka
Mohammad Isam
19-Jul-2025
Bangladesh come into the contest on the back of a series win in Sri Lanka • Getty Images
Big picture: Pakistan could be in for a surprise
Pakistan hold a 19-3 head-to-head record against Bangladesh in T20Is and will look to extend their dominance in Dhaka, starting with the first T20I on Sunday.
Pakistan swept the corresponding T20I series in Lahore in May, and the last match of that contest featured a beautifully timed chase by them, which left little doubt as to the gulf between the two sides.
Bangladesh, though, have picked themselves up since, and won the T20I series in Sri Lanka earlier this month - their first against the opponents. They also have good memories of playing against Pakistan at the Shere Bangla National Stadium than anywhere else. Two of Bangladesh's three wins in T20Is against Pakistan have come at this venue, with the only other one coming in Hangzhou in the Asian Games in 2023.
Their batting came together in the last two games in Sri Lanka, when captain Litton Das, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy and Tanzid Hasan got important runs. For Litton, especially, it was a welcome return to form after a prolonged slump. Tanzid came into his own in the third T20I with a sparkling 73 not out. Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan got among the wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman stepped up as the senior fast bowler.
Bangladesh, though, are still some way from finding consistency, and it won't be easy on the slow and low pitches in Mirpur. The aggressive Parvez Hossain Emon, for instance, could be the one having to make the biggest adjustment. The fast bowlers Tanzim Hasan and Shoriful Islam also have to bring back their A games after a bit of an up-and-down time in the last few months.
Pakistan, meanwhile, would want to continue with the same approach that worked for them in Lahore. Their batters wasted little time in attacking the Bangladesh bowlers, while their bowlers and fielders gave an improved showing in the three-match series.
Head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Agha are trying to get the team to follow the T20I trend of trying to get as many runs as possible in the first six overs, and Pakistan have batters suited for this approach. The likes of Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris and Salman himself are known for their aggressive style, while Fakhar Zaman will be expected to blaze his way through the bowling. Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz will also be expected to go big in both ends of the innings.
Shadab Khan's absence could hurt their balance, and Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf will have to step up as the allrounders.
Five of Pakistan's squad in Bangladesh also have recent local knowledge, having played in the BPL in the last couple of seasons. Khushdil has played 12 matches in Mirpur, the most among the Pakistan players, while Mohammad Haris, Faheem, Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi have also played in the competition.
Pakistan are starting this series as the favourites, but Bangladesh usually thrive when they have a few wins under their belt, so this is unlikely to be a cakewalk for the visitors.
Form guide
Bangladesh WWLLL (Last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Pakistan WWWLL
Pakistan WWWLL
In the spotlight: Tanzid Hasan and Mohammad Haris
Tanzid Hasan is like a breath of fresh air in the Bangladesh top order. He struck six sixes in his unbeaten 73 in the last game against Sri Lanka, and that led the team's 133-run chase. Each time Tanzid lofted the bowlers down the ground, there was little doubt that it would go for six. His loft over the covers was a standout shot, after which he switched to hitting down the ground. In that game, Tanzid also became the fastest to five T20I half-centuries for Bangladesh, in just 27 matches.
Mohammad Haris became the first Pakistani non-opener to hit a T20I century, in the last match between these two teams on June 1. It was a breathtaking effort from the Pakistan No. 3, who had been threatening a big one in the two previous innings as well. Haris was aggressive like the rest of the Pakistan line-up but he maintained the approach with proper shots, which stood out. Haris will be confident of doing well in Dhaka, where he has intimate knowledge of the pitches through his recent BPL stints.
Team news: Pakistan could pick a rookie
Bangladesh are likely to field the same XI that beat Sri Lanka earlier this week.
Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Parvez Hossain Emon, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Litton Das (capt, wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman
Pakistan could pick Hussain Talat and the uncapped Salman Mirza in place of Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, who aren't available.
Pakistan (probable XI): 1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Mohammad Haris (wk), 4 Hasan Nawaz, 5 Salman Agha (capt), 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Hussain Talat, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Abbas Afridi, 10 Salman Mirza, 11 Abrar Ahmed
Pitch and conditions: Will it be a T20 or a T20I pitch?
The BPL pitches at the Shere Bangla National Stadium produce an average of 150 in night matches. But will the curator opt for the slow and low pitches they have usually prepared for T20Is, where around 125 is more common? Wet weather is in the forecast on Sunday.
Stats and trivia: Pakistan's changed T20 approach
- Only two Pakistan batters played more than 40 balls in an innings during their last T20I series against Bangladesh - Farhan and Haris.
- Mahedi has 30 wickets at a strike rate of 15.90 in powerplays in T20Is, the most for any spinner since January 2021. West Indies' Akeal Hosein is second on 29 wickets. Shakib Al Hasan holds the all-time record with 44 wickets.
- This is only the third time T20Is are being played in Bangladesh in the month of July. The last two occasions were in 2015 and 2023.
Quotes
"The two uncapped players are very exciting. Both are fast bowlers, and I am very excited to see them. They are very good fast bowlers, and I'm happy for them to be here and very, very excited."
Pakistan captain Salman Agha about their two uncapped players in the squad
Pakistan captain Salman Agha about their two uncapped players in the squad
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84