Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to face off in the first T20I of their three-match series today, May 28, 2025, at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. Both teams are eager to rebound from recent underwhelming performances and establish momentum ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Pakistan: A New Leadership Era
Pakistan enters this series under the fresh leadership of Salman Ali Agha, who assumes the captaincy with aspirations of revitalizing the team's T20I fortunes. The squad blends seasoned players like Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman with emerging talents such as Saim Ayub and Abbas Afridi. Notably, Abbas Afridi was recently added to the squad, replacing Mohammad Wasim Jr., who sustained a side strain during the 2025 PSL.
Bangladesh: Navigating Setbacks
Bangladesh, led by captain Litton Das, faces its own challenges, including the absence of key players due to injuries. Mustafizur Rahman is sidelined with a thumb injury sustained during the 2025 IPL, with Khaled Ahmed stepping in as his replacement. Additionally, Soumya Sarkar has been ruled out due to a back injury, prompting the inclusion of Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Series Context
Originally slated to include both ODIs and T20Is, the series format was revised to focus solely on T20Is, aligning with preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup. This adjustment underscores both teams' emphasis on strengthening their T20 strategies.
As the series commences, both Pakistan and Bangladesh aim to capitalize on this opportunity to refine their squads and build confidence in the shortest format of the
game.
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