Bangladesh and Pakistan are gearing up to head into the third and final ODI on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, with the series currently locked at 1–1. In the last two games, both sides have experienced contrasting performances, setting the stage for a tense final. The opening match belonged to Bangladesh, who, playing with confidence and discipline, outplayed Pakistan in all departments to secure a comfortable eight-wicket victory.

Their bowlers and batters delivered high-octane performances to topple Pakistan. However, things changed dramatically in the second ODI, where Pakistan produced a dominant display to level the series with a commanding 128-run win. For Bangladesh, the second match exposed familiar vulnerabilities. Their top order failed to perform under pressure. A rain interruption only complicated the chase further, forcing them to accelerate against a well-organised Pakistani attack. Heading into the decider, Bangladesh will be keen to recreate their dominance at home and deliver a more thrilling performance.

Pakistan, on the other hand, will move into the final ODI with huge confidence. Their emphatic win in the second game will embolden them to maintain rhythm and overpower Bangladesh. The positive sign of the series so far has been the emergence of 20-year-old all-rounder Maaz Sadaqat, who, after a modest debut, delivered a remarkable all-round performance in the second ODI, smashing a wonderful 75 from 46 deliveries and claiming three wickets with his left-arm spin. Not to forget, the controversial run-out of Salman Ali Agha by Mehidy Hasan Miraz has touched off a debate on the spirit of the game, so there could be some extra spice in the match.

Head-to-head

Matches - 41

PAK won - 35

BAN won - 6

Bangladesh possible XI: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Afif Hossain, 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman

Pakistan possible XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Abdus Salam, Ghazi Ghori, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf