Bangladesh will be riding high on confidence after their series win in Sri Lanka, but they’re about to face a brutal reality check. On Sunday, they welcome a Pakistan team that has historically owned them in T20Is, boasting a lopsided 19-3 head-to-head record. That dominance was on full display when Pakistan swept the last series between the two sides earlier this year.
Pakistan’s dominance in the format, especially against Bangladesh, is clear. In May, they chased down a target of 197 in the third T20I with ease. But Bangladesh now approach this series with renewed confidence after a historic T20I series win in Sri Lanka — their first against that opposition.
Key contributions in that series came from captain Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Shamim Hossain and Towhid Hridoy. Litton, returning to form, was instrumental.
An unbeaten 73 from Tanzid stood out in the final. With the ball, Rishad and Mahedi Hasan delivered at the right times, while Mustafizur handled the pace duties with typical poise.
Yet, consistency remains a concern. Dhaka’s slow and low pitches are tricky, and adjustments will be needed — especially for aggressive batters like Parvez Hossain Emon. Fast bowlers Tanzim Hasan and Shoriful Islam also face pressure to stabilize their form.
Pakistan’s Fast Starts and Local Insight
Pakistan arrive with a clear game plan. Head coach Mike Hesson and captain Agha Salman have been pushing for a powerplay-heavy strategy. The aim is simple: take charge in the first six overs. The squad includes players who naturally fit that mold — Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Fakhar Zaman, and Salman himself.
Losing a player like Shadab Khan would cripple most teams, but Pakistan’s bench is loaded with firepower. They’re clearly betting that Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf can plug the all-rounder gap. And if a game gets tight, they have a couple of aces up their sleeve: proven finishers like Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz who can be unleashed to win a match in the final overs.
Pakistan may also benefit from recent experience on Dhaka pitches. Five squad members — Khushdil, Haris, Faheem, Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi — have played in the Bangladesh Premier League, with Khushdil logging 12 matches at Mirpur.
Still, Bangladesh aren’t without a chance. Two of their three wins over Pakistan have come at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Home conditions, and the lift from a rare series win abroad, might make the difference.
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Player Watch
Tanzid Hasan’s explosive innings in the final game in Sri Lanka added a spark to Bangladesh’s top order. His six sixes in a 73-run knock helped chase down 133 with comfort. That innings also made him the fastest Bangladeshi to reach five T20I fifties — in just 27 games.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Haris holds momentum. His century in the final T20I against Bangladesh marked a milestone — the first time a Pakistani middle-order batter reached triple figures in the format. He’s backed by recent familiarity with Dhaka’s conditions, thanks to BPL experience.
Conditions and Pitch
The surface in Dhaka could be a deciding factor. During BPL matches, night games at the Shere Bangla Stadium averaged around 150 in first innings. But in recent T20Is, that number often drops to 125. The pitch could go either way. Weather might play a role too, with rain in Sunday’s forecast.
Stats That Matter
Only two Pakistan batters faced more than 40 deliveries in an innings during their last T20I series against Bangladesh — Farhan and Haris.
Forget the rankings — this series feels like it could go either way. Pakistan might carry the tag of favorites, but Bangladesh has momentum and a strong record at Mirpur on their side.
The conditions could play right into their hands, as this is one of the rare T20I series held in Bangladesh during the unpredictable July monsoon. That could be a nightmare for batters and a dream for Bangladesh’s ace powerplay bowler, Mahedi Hasan, who has more wickets in the opening six overs than any other spinner in the last three years.
