By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: A new chapter begins for both Pakistan and Bangladesh when they meet in the opening match of a three-game One-day International series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The series marks the beginning of both teams’ preparations for the next ICC Cricket World Cup, with the two sides hoping to address weaknesses and test combinations in the 50-over format.
Bangladesh return to competitive cricket after nearly three months away from international action. The hosts missed the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to political circumstances that prevented their participation, with Scotland taking their place in the tournament.
Pakistan, meanwhile, arrived in Dhaka with a fresh look as the team management has included six uncapped players in the squad, signalling a transition phase following their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign.
Among those set to debut is top-order batsman Sahibzada Farhan, who impressed with his performances in the T20 format and is expected to make his first ODI appearance in the series opener. Youngsters Shamyl Hussain and Maaz Sadaqat are also likely to get opportunities at the top of the order as Pakistan attempt to rebuild a batting line-up missing experienced names.
Former captain Babar Azam and opener Saim Ayub have both been left out after Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, a result that drew sharp criticism from fans and analysts.
With the top order undergoing changes, much of the batting responsibility will fall on experienced campaigners Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, who will be expected to anchor the innings and guide the younger players.
Pakistan’s biggest strength remains their pace attack, which will be led by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi. The left-arm quick will be supported by the express pace of Haris Rauf and the improving seam bowling of Mohammad Wasim Jr, both of whom missed the T20 World Cup but return to strengthen the bowling department.
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed will be Pakistan’s key option in the spin department after producing impressive performances in recent white-ball cricket, including notable outings in Sri Lanka during the global T20 tournament.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, are also looking to refine their combinations as they aim to improve performances in the middle overs of both batting and bowling.
The hosts are experimenting with their middle order by recalling Litton Das and Afif Hossain after a break from the side. They will rely on openers Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar to provide an aggressive start before the middle order consolidates the innings.
Bangladesh have struggled in their last three ODI series but their bowling unit remains a key strength. Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, along with leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, are expected to shoulder a significant portion of the bowling workload.
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam are likely to complete the bowling attack, although Bangladesh also have seam options in Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana if conditions at the Dhaka venue favour pace.
Historically, Pakistan have dominated the ODI rivalry between the two sides. In 39 matches played so far, Pakistan have won 34 while Bangladesh have managed only a handful of victories, with one match ending without a result.
Despite that record, Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi expects a challenging contest in Dhaka.
“All the teams are very good in their home conditions and Bangladesh have also performed well at their home ground,” Shaheen said during the pre-series media conference.
“As a team we are well prepared. We have won our previous two ODI series at home against South Africa and Sri Lanka.”
The Pakistan skipper confirmed that the visitors would field three debutants in the opening match.
“Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat will open the batting while Shamyl Hussain will bat at number three,” he said. “I hope they will play their natural game and show their skills. We are excited to see them represent Pakistan not only in this series but in the future as well.”
With the three matches scheduled within five days, both sides will have little time to adjust once the series begins. For Pakistan, the tour represents an opportunity to build a new core ahead of the next World Cup cycle, while Bangladesh will look to re-establish momentum after a prolonged absence from international cricket.
Pakistan squad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain
Bangladesh squad:
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Afif Hossain, Litton Das, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rishad Hossain, Saif Hassan, Shoriful Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Tawhid Hridoy
Series schedule (all matches at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka, starting 1:15pm PKT):
March 11 – First ODI
March 13 – Second ODI
March 15 – Third ODI
