Bangladesh have resisted the urge to tinker, confirming the same 15-man squad that overturned Sri Lanka last week for the three Twenty20 internationals against Pakistan in Dhaka on 20, 22 and 24 July – all late starts under the Shere Bangla lights.
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin explained the thinking in a short media release: “The players earned this chance; we want continuity.” Litton Das, who oversaw the 2-1 comeback in Colombo, echoed that sentiment. “Nothing flashy,” he said on arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal Airport, “just keep doing the basics well.”
Key facts first
• Squad unchanged from the Sri Lanka series
• Pakistan have already landed in Dhaka
• Matches: 20, 22, 24 July – all night fixtures at SBNCS
• Pakistan lead the bilateral head-to-head 19-3
Form guide
The top-order combination of Tanzid Hasan, Litton, Towhid Hridoy and Shamim Hossain provided the bulk of the runs in Colombo, each passing 30 at least once. Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan’s 4 for 11 tilted the decider, while Rishad Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman both conceded fewer than six an over across the series.
Conditions
Persistent monsoon rain has left the Dhaka square softer than usual. Curator Gamini Silva was frank on Thursday: “We can present a fair contest, but expect a bit of grip for the slower bowlers.”
What Pakistan bring
Bangladesh were swept 3-0 in Lahore as recently as May, and Pakistan’s record – 19 wins in 22 meetings – remains a psychological hurdle. Veteran analyst Khaled Mahmud reminded reporters, “History doesn’t win you the next game, but it can sit in the back of your mind.”
Long-term view
Bangladesh Cricket Board has one eye on next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. “Keeping the core together matters more than short-term changes,” Abedin added. For now, the selectors are content to judge form in the familiar, if occasionally damp, surrounds of Mirpur.
Bangladesh squad
Litton Das (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin.
Fixtures
1st T20I – 20 July, Dhaka (night)
2nd T20I – 22 July, Dhaka (night)
3rd T20I – 24 July, Dhaka (night)
Pakistan are already in the capital, fine-tuning at the National Academy. Bangladesh, for their part, hope stability breeds another upset. As Litton put it, “We’ve shown we can win away; there’s no reason we can’t win at home too.”
