The first T20I between Bangladesh and Pakistan is set to take place in Dhaka on July 20 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Bangladesh will be eyeing redemption in the home series after suffering a disastrous whitewash against the 2009 World Cup winners earlier in the year.‌Another edition of South Asian derby is set to grace the cricket world when Bangladesh take on Pakistan in a three-match T20I series.
This is set to be a battle between one of the giants in the cricketing world and the underdogs who have been competing against each other since 1986. Though these teams have a history of great players and legendary matches, they have recently struggled in the shortest format of the game. While Pakistan are standing eighth in the T20I rankings, the Tigers are just hanging about in the top 10 with Ireland hot on their tails.
It has not been long since the two sides played each other in T20Is, as Bangladesh had completed a three-match T20I series against the Salman Agha-led side just a month ago in Pakistan where they suffered a whitewash.
BAN vs PAK : Previous Performances
Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in the opening match of a three-match T20I series on Sunday, July 20, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The hosts come into the series with confidence, having recently secured a 2-1 T20I series win over Sri Lanka away from home. With home advantage and winning momentum on their side, Bangladesh will look to start strong and aim for another series win in front of their fans.
On the other hand, Pakistan dominated Bangladesh in their last T20I meeting just a month ago, sweeping the series 3-0 on home soil. They will look to maintain that winning rhythm and approach these away fixtures with the same positive mindset and intent.
BAN vs PAK : Head to Head
Bangladesh and Pakistan have competed in 22 T20Is between 2007 and 2025, in which the 2009 T20 World Cup winners have been thoroughly dominant. While the Shaheens have been victorious on 19 occasions, the Tigers have only won three, with their last win in 2023 during the Asian Games also earned by a representative side. In fact, the last time Bangladesh won a home T20I against Pakistan was 2016, while they have never won a multi-match bilateral series and lost five out of seven games on home soil.
| Matches Played | 22 |
| Won By Bangladesh | 03 |
| Won By Pakistan | 19 |
| No Result | 00 |
| First-ever Fixture | September 02, 2007 |
| Most-recent Fixture | June 01, 2025 |
BAN vs PAK : Pitch and Weather Report
The surface in Dhaka will be good for spin wicket. But because there might be some rain before or during the game, the pacers will get more help. The team that wins the toss will look to chase. It is because batting will become easy as the game goes on.
The pitch at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka is traditionally on the slower side and tends to favour spinners as the game progresses. Early on, pacers may find some seam movement, however, once setled, batters can find rhythm and play their strokes more freely.
The surface at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium has known to struggle batters and keep them from scoring runs freely. The surface is expected to support the spinners significantly due to the dry nature of the surface. This explains why the venue had a low average score of 150 last year. 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.
The temperature at Dhaka is expected to be 30 degrees Celsius on July 20 with a bit of cloud cover. However, there seem to be a minimal chances of rain in the city.
BAN vs PAK :Big Picture : Pakistan could be in for a surprise from hosts Bangladesh
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.
BAN vs PAK : 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.
BAN vs PAK : Vital Stats that matters
- 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.
BAN vs PAK : Team News for Bangladesh and Pakistan
Bangladesh :Â
Bangladesh are likely to field the same XI that beat Sri Lanka earlier this week. Bangladesh will most likely stick to a similar core which helped them win the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka. While Tanzid Hasan and Liton Das will be key in the top order, Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali are expected to be the specialist middle-order batters. All-rounders Mahedi Hasan and Shamim Hossain might add some depth to the playing XI, while Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Mustafizur would be the probable first-choice specialist bowlers.
Bangladesh Probable Playing XI : Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (c & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Pakistan :Â
Pakistan could pick Hussain Talat and the uncapped Salman Mirza in place of Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, who aren’t available.Pakistan is expected to continue the same top order that brought them success previously against Bangladesh, which includes Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, and Salman Agha.
Even though Shadab Khan is unavailable with injury, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz should add enough all-round capabilities in the middle-order. There might also be a debut for up-and-coming left-arm pacer Salman Mirza after a successful domestic season.
Pakistan Probable Playing XI : Saim Ayub, Khushdil Shah, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Abbas Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Salman Mirza
BAN vs PAK Fantasy Playing XI : Litton Das, Mohammad Haris, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Towhid Hridoy, Rishad Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Faheem Ashraf, Mustafizur Rahman, Abrar Ahmed, Abbas Afridi, Shoriful Islam
BAN vs PAK : Probable Top Performers
Probable Best Batter: Saim Ayub
The 23-year-old Saim Ayub could be a key batter for Pakistan in the opening clash against Bangladesh. He is known for his aggressive approach at the top, and strikes at an impressive rate of 138.49. His ability to dominate the powerplay and control the tempo could prove crucial in helping Pakistan secure a strong start and push for victory in the series opener.
Probable Best Bowler: Mustafizur Rahman
The left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman could be a key weapon for Bangladesh in the upcoming clash. He is known for his deceptive pace variations and cutters, and has been highly economical, bowling at under six runs per over in recent outings. His ability to swing the ball early and deliver unpredictable variations at the death makes him a tough challenge for any batting lineup.
BAN vs PAK : Match Prediction
Pakistan are the better side, which makes them favorites for this game. Bangladesh will be a challenging opponent, but Pakistan are very strong.
Scenario 1
- Bangladesh win the toss and opt to bowl first
- Powerplay: 45-55
- PAK: 145-155
- Bangladesh win the match
Scenario 2
- Pakistan win the toss and opt to bowl first
- Powerplay: 50-60
- BAN: 150-160
- Pakistan win the match
Also Read:Â SL vs BAN: Bangladesh Aim For Redemption Against High Spirited Sri Lanka