Pakistan and Bangladesh will play a three-match T20I series, beginning on May 28. Here’s how the hosts could line up at Lahore.
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20Is
Salman Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah.
You can find more details on Pakistan's squad for the Bangladesh series here.
Openers
Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan
Zaman is set to make his T20I return after almost a year, following a fine showing in the PSL. He was one of two batters to make 400 runs in the tournament, also striking at 152.96.
He will be joined by Farhan, who has had a sensational few months. Initially not picked for the PSL, he earned a call-up after a blistering National T20 Cup and ended the PSL as the highest run-scorer.
Middle-order
Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (c)
Ayub made a comeback after four months in the PSL and started off by making a 38-ball 50. However, he managed six single-digit scores thereafter, but is still one of the first names on the list, having made 375 runs for Pakistan since the start of 2024, at a strike rate of 143.67, the second-highest among all batters with at least 150 runs in this period.
Nawaz was the player of the series in the recent PSL, making 399 runs at a strike rate of 162.19. He struck one hundred and three fifties in 10 innings and will be eager to establish himself in the international format. Nawaz has played only five T20Is, averaging 26.50, but has a strike rate of 185.96, and brings much-needed aggression to the line-up.
Haris has only made 65 runs in five T20Is since 2024, striking at 118.18, but keeps his place in the side as the wicketkeeper after an impressive PSL, where he struck at nearly 149. He outperformed Mohammad Rizwan, who ended with a strike rate of 139.54.
Agha will lead the team after he replaced Rizwan in the role ahead of the New Zealand tour. He has a strike rate of 116.66 in 11 T20Is, and did not light the PSL on fire either.
Spinners
Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed
Shadab, the vice-captain, made a forgettable comeback to the T20I side against New Zealand, picking up just one wicket in five games. He picked up 14 wickets in the PSL and will hope for a turnaround in the international format.
No other Pakistan bowler has taken more wickets at a better economy rate than Abrar (8.21) since the start of 2024. He was also economical in the PSL (7.34), and will lead the spin attack.
Ayub and Agha can roll their arm over as part-time spinners, if needed.
Fast bowlers
Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
In the absence of Shaheen Afridi, the trio will need to step up against Bangladesh. Faheem is yet to play a T20I since 2023, but will have the confidence of a strong PSL, where he picked up 17 scalps at 20.52, behind him. His batting ability should see him edge out Hasan Ali in the XI, at least for the start of the series.
Rauf is prone to blowing hot and cold with the ball, but is unplayable on his day, while Naseem will accompany him as the leader of the pace attack.
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