Bangladesh, Pakistan start afresh with 2027 World Cup in mind

Pakistan have six uncapped players in their squad while Bangladesh are set to try a new middle order combination

Mohammad Isam

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 11:02 AM (5 hrs ago)

Big picture: Bangladesh, Pakistan press reset

The first bilateral series after a World Cup is usually heralded as a "new beginning". It is pretty much the case for Bangladesh and Pakistan ahead of their three-match ODI that begins in Dhaka on Wednesday. Pakistan have brought six uncapped cricketers in their 15-man squad, which is reportedly a reaction to their early T20 World Cup exit. The hosts meanwhile are returning to international cricket after three months, which included missing the World Cup due to a political tussle.

Bangladesh's coaches, meanwhile, believe that the side needs improvement in the middle part of both their batting and bowling innings. They are trying a new combination in the middle order by bringing in Litton Das and Afif Hossain after a hiatus. They will expect openers Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar to provide an electric start before the middle-order get them the much-needed stability.

They have struggled in their last three ODI series, and the bowling lineup is their stronger suit these days. Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain are expected to bowl three-fifths of the overs, while captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanvir Islam are likely to be the two other specialist bowlers in the XI. If the Shere Bangla National Stadium plays differently, they have Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana as support in the pace department.

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Litton Das to bat at No. 5 in ODIs against Pakistan

It is however the Pakistan lineup that has produced the most curiosity among fans. Four of the six uncapped players in their squad are top-order batters. Among them, Sahibzada Farhan is the most well-known, having top scored in the T20 World Cup. Shamyl Hussain and Maaz Sadaqat will join him in the top three. The lack of experience in the top three means there will be more responsibility on the likes of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha.

The buck however stops with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi who has to bring his A-game with the new ball. Afridi has Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim for support, though the spin attack looks a bit thin with only Abrar Ahmed among the experienced bowlers.

Form guide

Bangladesh: WLWLL (Last five completed ODIs, most recent first)

Pakistan: WWWWL

In the spotlight: Litton Das & Shaheen Shah Afridi

Despite his woeful ODI form in the last two years, the selectors welcomed back Litton Das into the format, as they hope Litton's skills against spin will get them back on track. Litton will also retain the ODI gloves, with coach Phil Simmons hoping that batting at No. 5 will also provide him some rest after a wicketkeeping stint. The onus will now be on Litton to improve his ODI form that went kaput as far back as December 2023.

Shaheen Shah Afridi will be looking to make it a hat-trick of ODI series wins as captain after winning 2-1 and 2-0 against South Africa and Sri Lanka respectively in his first two series as skipper. Afridi though, arrived in Bangladesh after a pretty average T20 World Cup campaign, when he took eight wickets but conceded runs at 10.52 per over.

Team news: Plenty of debutants for Pakistan

Litton and Afif will bat in the middle order, while Bangladesh could just go with two pace options.

Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Saif Hassan, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Towhid Hridoy, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 5 Litton Das (wk), 6 Afif Hossain, 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Tanvir Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Farhan, Shamyl and Sadaqat will form the top three according to captain Afridi. Ghazi Ghori could also make his ODI debut behind the stumps too.

Pakistan (probable XI): 1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Maaz Sadaqat, 3 Shamyl Hussain, 4 Mohammad Rizwan, 5 Salman Agha, 6 Hussain Talat, 7 Ghazi Ghori (wk), 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Shaheen Shah Afridi (capt), 10 Mohammad Wasim, 11 Faisal Akram

Pitch and conditions

West Indies and Bangladesh bowled spin in 84 percent of their overs in the previous ODI series played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. In one game, West Indies bowled 50 overs of spin. It should tell you what to expect in this venue, although both coaches Phil Simmons and Mike Hesson have said that they have seen an improved surface ahead of the first ODI. The weather forecast says there could be unseasonal rain in the afternoon.

Stats and trivia

Bangladesh won their last home ODI series against Pakistan by a 3-0 margin.

Pakistan have won five bilateral ODI series in the last two years while Bangladesh have won just two during the same period.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz averages 43.92 with the ball as captain, as opposed to his 35.66 bowling average when he is not the captain.

Quotes

"We have a happy and settled dressing room despite what had happened (with the T20 World Cup). We are a well-prepared side. I have noticed that all our players are excited about returning to international cricket."

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, when asked about team morale in their first international outing since missing the T20 World Cup.

"Pakistan team is known for fast bowling. I will definitely go with fast bowling and make sure that the fast bowlers take wickets and also spinners can contribute."

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi when asked about West Indies bowling only spin for 50 overs in an ODI in Dhaka recently.

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84

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