Bangladesh captain Litton Das finally ended his miserable run of luck at the toss, winning one after nine straight losses, and chose to bowl first in the series-opening T20 International against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.
There’s a notable change in the Bangladesh XI as Taskin Ahmed returns to the side, replacing Shoriful Islam. The right-arm quick, who missed the Sri Lanka tour due to injury and workload management, reclaims his place as the leader of the pace attack. He’ll be joined by Mustafizur Rahman and young seamer Tanzim Hasan Sakib in a three-pronged pace unit.
Bangladesh’s top order features Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan, with captain and wicketkeeper Litton Das set to bat at number three. The middle order comprises Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, and Jaker Ali, while Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain provide spin and lower-order depth. The hosts will be hoping that a well-balanced side and home conditions will help them close the gap in their lopsided T20I record against Pakistan.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted he would have opted to bowl first as well, but remained unfazed after losing the toss. “I would have done the same. I would have bowled first too, but it’s all right. Toss is just a matter of starting the game.”
Salman was upbeat about Pakistan’s preparation and the blend of youth in the team: “It’s been outstanding. We had a camp in Karachi, and we were trying to prepare the same pitches we are going to get here, and we are ready for the game.
Very happy, very exciting new guys, and I’m very happy to see them, and I hope they perform well and have a name here.”
On the team composition, he added: “Well, it’s a lot of all-rounders and a few genuine fast bowlers.”
Pakistan have handed a debut to right-arm pacer Salman Mirza, with the bowling attack featuring Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed. Their batting is led by Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub at the top, followed by Mohammad Haris (also the wicketkeeper), Hasan Nawaz, and Salman himself. All-rounders Mohammad Nawaz and Khushdil Shah round off a flexible middle and lower order.
This is the 22nd T20I meeting between Bangladesh and Pakistan, with the visitors having won 19 and lost just three matches. But with Taskin back in the XI, a new-ball advantage, and the captain finally winning a toss, Bangladesh will look to start this home series with a fresh spark.
Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
Bangladesh XI: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman