Pakistan announce squad for T20I series against Bangladesh

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, with Salman Ali Agha retaining the captaincy. 

The three-match series, set to be played exclusively at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, marks the first assignment for newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson.

Experienced batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been left out of the squad for the series, along with star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

According to PCB, The squad has been selected based on performances in the ongoing HBL PSL 10, which concludes on May 25. 

Several players have made a return to the national setup, including fast bowler Hasan Ali, all-rounder Hussain Talat, and opener Sahibzada Farhan. 

Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, who were previously left out of the New Zealand tour due to injury, have now been recalled.

Pakistan squad for T20I series against Bangladesh: 

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub.

Originally, the tour was planned as a five-match T20I series split between Faisalabad and Lahore. However, due to reported hesitations within the Bangladesh squad—largely influenced by external pressures—the series has been shortened to three matches, all in Lahore. Faisalabad is no longer included as a host city.

While the PCB has yet to issue an official press release confirming the final itinerary, sources indicate the following tentative schedule for the Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20I series:

Tentative schedule:

• 27 May – 1st T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 8:00 PM
• 29 May – 2nd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 8:00 PM
• 31 May – 3rd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 8:00 PM

Pakistan holds a dominant record against Bangladesh in T20 internationals, having won 16 of the 19 matches played between the two sides. Their most recent encounter was at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Adelaide, where Pakistan emerged victorious.

The upcoming series offers a fresh opportunity for both returning and emerging players to stake their claim ahead of the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup.