PCB announces revised schedule for T20I series against Bangladesh

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the revised schedule for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. All matches will now be played under lights at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium between 28 May and 1 June 2025.

Earlier, the PCB suggested dates of May 27, 29, and 31 for the three-match series. However, sources indicate that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested a slight delay to better accommodate their acclimatization and practice needs.

The series will begin on Wednesday, 28 May, with the second T20I taking place on Friday, 30 May. The final match is scheduled for Sunday, 1 June. Each game is set to start at 8:00 PM local time.

Bangladesh is expected to arrive in Lahore on 25 May. Two days of training sessions—on 26 and 27 May—will help the visiting side get acclimatized and prepare thoroughly before the series kicks off.

This series also marks an important milestone for Pakistan cricket, as it will be the first assignment for newly appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson. 

Revised T20I series schedule:

• 28 May – 1st T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 8:00 PM
• 30 May – 2nd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 8:00 PM
• 1 June – 3rd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 8:00 PM

The squad for the series was announced earlier today, featuring a mix of youth and experience. However, some high-profile names are missing. Former captains Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, have not been included in the squad.

The selection is largely based on performances in the ongoing HBL PSL 10, which wraps up on 25 May. Notable comebacks include pacer Hasan Ali, all-rounder Hussain Talat, and opener Sahibzada Farhan, who has been in impressive form. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, who missed the New Zealand tour due to injuries, also make their return to the side.

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 (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub.

Originally, the series was planned as a five-match affair with games in both Faisalabad and Lahore. However, concerns within the Bangladesh squad—reportedly due to external pressures—led to a reduction in the number of matches. As a result, the series was shortened to three games, and Faisalabad was dropped as a host venue.

Pakistan has historically dominated Bangladesh in T20Is, winning 16 of their 19 encounters. The last time the two sides met was during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Adelaide.