Lahore, May 21, 2025: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh, with Salman Ali Agha set to lead the side once again.
The series, scheduled to take place exclusively at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, marks the first assignment for newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson. The matches are slated for May 27, 29, and 31, with all fixtures starting at 8:00 PM local time.
Veteran players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been rested for the series. The selection, according to the PCB, is based primarily on performances in the ongoing HBL PSL 10, which is set to conclude on May 25.
Several players have returned to the national fold, including fast bowler Hasan Ali, all-rounder Hussain Talat, and opening batter Sahibzada Farhan. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, who missed the recent tour of New Zealand due to injuries, have also been recalled.
Pakistan Squad
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 (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub.
Originally planned as a five-match series split between Lahore and Faisalabad, the itinerary has been revised. All three matches will now be hosted in Lahore, reportedly due to hesitations within the Bangladesh squad influenced by external factors. Faisalabad has been dropped as a host city.
While the PCB has not yet released an official press statement confirming the final schedule, the following tentative dates have been shared by reliable sources:
Tentative Schedule – Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20I Series
• 27 May – 1st T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 8:00 PM
• 29 May – 2nd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 8:00 PM
• 31 May – 3rd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 8:00 PM
Pakistan enjoys a dominant head-to-head record against Bangladesh in T20Is, having won 16 of the 19 matches played between the two nations. Their last meeting was during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Adelaide, where Pakistan secured a convincing victory.