Bangladesh are gearing up to host Pakistan for a three-match ODI series beginning on Wednesday with the first match at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium. The series comes just days after the conclusion of the T20I World Cup 2026, held in India and Sri Lanka. For both teams, the series is very crucial, as it provides an opportunity for them to construct squads ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup. 

Ahead of the series, Pakistan have made a few surprising selection decisions, leaving out star batter Babar Azam from the squad. It was a massive decision, as Babar has been the cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting lineup for a long time, and his omission came as a huge shock. Pakistan’s selectors have gone bold, bringing in six uncapped players into the squad. 

The side, which will be led by Shaheen Afridi, also features experienced players like Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf and Salman Ali Agha. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will look to rediscover stability and confidence under the leadership of all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Their recent international journey has been uneven, having pulled out of the recently concluded T20I World Cup. Nevertheless, this series provides an ideal opportunity for Bangladesh to reassert themselves on home soil. Bangladesh's squad features some of the promising players, such as Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Tawhid Hridoy.

Head-to-head

Matches - 40

PAK won - 34

BAN won - 5

No result - 1

Bangladesh Playing XI: Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed

Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram, Abrar Ahmed