Pakistan win toss, opt to bowl first in second T20I against Bangladesh

Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Bangladesh in the second T20I of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Bangladesh currently lead the series 1-0 after a convincing win in the opening game, where they comfortably chased down a low target of 111 runs to take a 1-0 lead.

Pakistan will be eager to bounce back and level the series after a poor batting display in the first match, where they were bowled out for just 110 runs. Bangladesh, in response, reached the target in 15.3 overs with seven wickets in hand.

Young pacer Salman Mirza gave Pakistan a promising start in that game, removing both openers early to leave Bangladesh at 7-2. However, Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy steadied the innings with a 73-run partnership for the third wicket. Hridoy was eventually dismissed for 36, but Emon remained unbeaten on 56 to take his team home.

The head-to-head record remains in Pakistan’s favour, with the Men in Green winning 19 of the 23 T20Is played between the two sides. Bangladesh have won only four matches, including the most recent one.

Playing XI:

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal

Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Naim Sheikh, Litton Das (c/wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Form Guide (last five matches):

Bangladesh: L, L, W, W, W
Pakistan: L, W, W, W, L

Pakistan must win today’s match to keep the series alive, while Bangladesh will look to secure a historic back-to-back T20I series win.