Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) just dropped a bombshell, unveiling a 15-man T20I squad for the Bangladesh series, kicking off May 25, 2025. No Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, or Shaheen Afridi—yep, you read that right! Salman Agha takes the helm as captain, with Shadab Khan as his deputy, in a bold move signaling Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 prep.
The Squad
- Captain: Salman Agha
- Vice-Captain: Shadab Khan
- Players: Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (WK), Saim Ayub
This lineup mixes veterans like Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf with rising stars like Saim Ayub and Hassan Nawaz. The absence of Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen? Likely a strategic rest to manage workloads and test new talent, per PCB’s vision.
Series Lowdown
Five T20Is, no ODIs—Pakistan and Bangladesh reworked the FTP for this one. Matches start in Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium (May 25, 27) after a 17-year gap, then shift to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium (May 30, June 1, 3). All games kick off at 8 PM PKT. Bangladesh, led by Litton Das, arrives today, ready to build on their 2024 Test series win over Pakistan.
Why It Matters
This series is Pakistan’s chance to experiment. Salman’s leadership, Shadab’s spin, and a fierce pace attack (Haris, Naseem, Hasan, Wasim Jr.) promise fireworks. Young guns like Saim and Irfan could steal the show, but can they fill the void left by the big three? Bangladesh, with Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, won’t make it easy.
The Big Picture
Pakistan’s T20I reset is a gamble, but it’s all about building depth for 2026. Fans are hyped for cricket’s return to Faisalabad and electric nights in Lahore. Will this squad spark a new era or stumble without its stars? Game on!
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