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MIRPUR: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has called the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch ‘unacceptable’ after his side’s seven-wicket defeat against Bangladesh here on Sunday.

Bangladesh convincingly defeated Pakistan in the opening match of the T20I series, skittling them out for 110 runs in 19.3 overs.

Following the match, Hesson commented on the pitch’s nature, remarking that the surface was not suitable for preparation. of the Asia Cup and the World Cup

“I think (the pitch) is not ideal for anybody. Teams are trying to prepare for the Asia Cup or the (T20) World Cup. It is not acceptable. It is still no excuse for some of the decisions we made with the bat. But this pitch is not up to international standards,” he remarked.

Hesson, who is on his first assignment with the Pakistan team, emphasized Fakhar Zaman’s knock, noting that it provided a litmus test of the surface.

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“We got off to a little bit of a flyer. Fakhar Zaman played four or five shots. It gave us a false indication about how the surface was playing,” Mike Hesson elaborated.

“We didn’t help ourselves through the middle. We chose some poor options. When the ball started to nip through, and bounced steeply, we probably didn’t assess that it was a bit more challenging to play high-risk shots. Couple of run-outs also didn’t help,” he observed.

Mike Hesson praised the pitches prepared during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), stating that good wickets help nurture players.

“You need good cricket wickets to develop cricketers. There was some good wickets during the BPL, to be fair. It is not up to the standard when international cricket is being played,” he stated.

The head coach highlighted the importance of good team performance despite topsy-turvy surface.

“I don’t think it helps them when they leave Bangladesh. But I think also batting first in these situations is challenging.

When you aren’t quite sure whether 100 or 130 or 150 is good enough. I don’t think (the pitch) is good for anybody. It still doesn’t take away the fact that you have to perform better in any surface. We will look at it as a team,” Mike Hesson concluded.

READ: Emon, Taskin star as Bangladesh thump Pakistan in T20I series opener

MIRPUR: Parvez Hossain Emon’s gutsy 56* and Taskin Ahmed’s three-wicket haul sealed a comprehensive seven-wicket win for Bangladesh over Pakistan in the opening T20I of the three-match series here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a meagre 111-run target, Bangladesh comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just three wickets in only 15.3 overs.

In pursuit of the target, Bangladesh lost their opener Tanzid Hasan (1) and skipper Litton Das (1) in the first two overs. Debutant Salman Mirza made a perfect start to his international career after removing the two batters.

However, the 73-run partnership between Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy for the third wicket, marked by boundaries, propelled Bangladesh to 80-3 in just 12.3 overs.

In the 12th over, Abbas Afridi castled Hridoy, who had been dropped twice, scoring 36 off 37 balls with two sixes and two fours. With Bangladesh close to victory, it was only a matter of time.

During the middle overs, Bangladesh scored 74 runs, losing only one wicket, compared to Pakistan’s 62 runs for the loss of two wickets.

Parvez Hossain Emon remained unbeaten on 56* from 39 balls, peppered with five sixes and three fours, while Jaker Ali scored 15* off 10 deliveries to take their team home in a one-sided contest.

For Pakistan, Salman Mirza was the standout bowler, taking two for 23 in his 3.3 overs, while Abbas Afridi picked up one wicket.

Earlier, Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for a meagre total in the opening T20I of the three-match series here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Put into bat first, Pakistan were bundled out for 110 runs in 19.3 overs as Bangladesh capitalized on the decision to bowl first.

The home side laid the first blow in the shape of Saim Ayub, who was caught after scoring just six off four balls. Fakhar Zaman, who was handed a reprieve early, played aggressively as Pakistan reached 32-1 in only 3 overs.

However, Mohammad Haris (4) threw his wicket away after being caught at midwicket, leaving Pakistan two down.

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Pakistan captain Salman Agha came to the crease to steady the innings; however, his sluggish three runs off nine balls ended courtesy of Tanzim Hasan Shakib’s excellent bowling. Consequently, this wicket added to the visitors’ woes, reducing them to 40-3 in the first five overs.

Furthermore, the wickets continued to tumble in quick succession, as incoming batter Hasan Nawaz was removed for a golden duck, while Mohammad Nawaz managed to score only three runs before being run out.

With half of the side back in the pavilion at the score of 46 in only 7.4 overs, Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah forged a brief stand of 24 runs to give Pakistan some respite.

Despite this, Zaman, who was the top scorer,  made 44 runs from 34 balls— hitting six fours and one six— was run out due to a misunderstanding with Khushdil, which left Pakistan 70-6.

Although Khushdil and Abbas Afridi managed to provide some late blitz in the final phase of the innings, it ultimately was not enough to take Pakistan to a formidable total against Bangladesh’s economical bowling.

Khushdil and Abbas decided to take on Bangladesh’s leg spinner Rishad Hossain in the 15th over. Both batters struck a six each, which accumulated 13 runs in the over.  In the next over, Abbas Afridi struck back-to-back sixes in an over off Tanzim to lift Pakistan above 100 runs.

Nevertheless, Bangladesh’s bowlers conceded only eight runs in the next three overs and took the key wicket of Khushdil Shah (17 off 23 balls), who managed to strike two boundaries.

The 19th over bowled by Taskin Ahmed resulted in three wickets from the first three balls, enabling Bangladesh to bowl out Pakistan for the first time in T20I history.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed was the standout bowler, picking up three wickets for 22 runs in only 3.3 overs. Mustafizur Rahman was exceptionally good with his economical spell of 6 runs in four overs, along with two wickets.

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BIRMINGHAM: The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan Champions fixture at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has officially been called off, just hours before the two sides were set to meet at Edgbaston on Sunday.

The organisers made the announcement through a statement posted on the tournament’s official social media platforms, confirming the cancellation of what was expected to be a marquee clash.

“We at WCL have always cherished and loved cricket, and our only aim has been to give fans some good, happy moments,” the statement read.

“After hearing the news that the Pakistan hockey team will be coming to India this year, and seeing the recent India vs Pakistan volleyball match along with a few other fixtures between the two nations in different sports, we thought of continuing with the India vs Pakistan match at WCL — just to create some happy memories for people around the globe.

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But maybe in the process, we ended up hurting the feelings of many and stirring emotions.

“More than that, we unintentionally caused discomfort to our Indian Cricket Legends, who have brought so much glory to the country, and we ended up affecting the brands who supported us purely out of love for the game.

“Hence, we have decided to call off the India vs Pakistan match.

“We sincerely apologise again for hurting the sentiments and hope people will understand that all we ever wanted was to bring a few happy moments to the fans.”

The development comes amid growing tension surrounding the fixture. Indian media reports earlier claimed that five prominent Indian cricketers had raised objections to former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi’s inclusion in the tournament, threatening to withdraw from the match if he was part of the squad or even entered the stadium.

According to reports, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Shikhar Dhawan conveyed their concerns to the organisers. Harbhajan and Yusuf are said to have already pulled out, while Dhawan reportedly confirmed his withdrawal through a post on his Instagram story.

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DHAKA: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has thrown his support behind senior batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, even as the duo miss out on the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

Addressing the media in Dhaka on Saturday, ahead of the series opener on July 20, Salman said the squad is well-prepared and keen to play aggressive cricket in familiar subcontinental conditions.

“We’re under no pressure. The focus is on playing good cricket and entertaining the crowd here in Bangladesh,” he said.

Pakistan will face the hosts on July 20, 22, and 24 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, with all matches scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM (PST).

While acknowledging Bangladesh’s strength at home, Salman remained confident in Pakistan’s game plan.

“They’re a competitive side and tough to beat at home, but we’re also ready to play bold, attacking cricket,” he stated.

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Salman Ali Agha also highlighted the team’s preparation, including a tailored training camp in Karachi with pitches designed to mimic Dhaka conditions.

“Understanding conditions is crucial. Our BPL experience and camp preparation will help us adapt better to match situations,” he added.

The captain also weighed in on the absence of experienced campaigners Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, saying their contributions to Pakistan cricket remain invaluable.

“Babar and Rizwan are world-class players and have done wonders for Pakistan. But T20 cricket evolves quickly, and our current squad reflects the style we want to play right now. Whoever fits that brand can be part of the team,” he added.

Meanwhile, the series trophy was unveiled in a ceremony at a local hotel, with both captains, Salman and Liton Das, posing for photos ahead of the contest.

The upcoming series marks the second T20I face-off between Pakistan and Bangladesh this year. The Green Shirts had completed a 3-0 sweep in the previous encounter at home in May.

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BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan Champions beat England Champions by five runs in the opening match of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, here on Friday at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Chasing a 161-run target, England Champions fell short despite Ian Bell’s classy half-century.

England Champions started strong in pursuit of the target as they scored 32-0 in the first five overs. However, Pakistan Champions fought back with key wicket of experienced Alastair Cook.

Following the wicket, Phil Mustard forged a brief stand with James Vince, bringing the score to 55 until the ninth over.

Aamer Yamin provided Pakistan Champions with a much-needed breakthrough, clearing up James Vince (7), reducing the home side to 55-2.

With two wickets down in the first half of the innings, the experience of Ian Bell and Phil Mustard helped lift England Champions out of trouble as the duo scored quickly, bringing the score to 94-2 in the 14th over.

Phil Mustard reached his half century in the process while Bell kept rotating the strike, ensuring that the required runs did not go up.

The stand was eventually broken in the 16th over with Sohail Tanvir removing trapped Mustard in front for a well-made 58 with England Champions requiring 52 runs from 24 balls.

However, Ian Bell stood in Pakistan Champions’ way, pairing up with Eoin Morgan to bring down the equation to 30 required from two overs.

With 16 required in the final over, Sohail Khan bowled brilliantly and gave up only 10 runs despite two set and experienced batters at the crease.

Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez’s gusty half century and Aamer Yamin’s cameo took Pakistan Champions to 160-9.

Put into bat first, Pakistan Champions posted 160-9 in their allocated 20 overs, thanks to Mohammad Hafeez’s anchoring 54 off 34 balls.

The right-handed batter rolled back the clock with his knock, showcasing elegant shots all around the ground.

Pakistan Champions did not have the best of a start as they lost their openers inside the powerplay. Sharjeel Khan was caught in the fourth over, scoring 12 off 15 balls with the help of a six, while Ryan Sidebottom dismissed Kamran Akmal (8) in the next over.

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England Champions further piled misery on Pakistan Champions as they removed experienced Umar Amin and Shoaib Malik in quick succession.

As a result, Pakistan Champions were reduced to 49-4 in nine overs.

Following the shambolic display from the top-order, skipper Mohammad Hafeez partnered with Asif Ali in a bid to steady the Green Shirts’ innings. Both batters batted cautiously until the 13th over, which ended with Asif Ali’s (15) dismissal.

Pakistan were reduced to 88-6 in 14 overs; however, Hafeez and Yamin forged a brief partnership, bringing the score to 121 before the former’s dismissal.

With 121-7  in 17 overs, the total of more than 150 was looking extremely difficult until Aamer Yamin’s quick-fire cameo lifted them out of the trouble.

The right-handed batter remained unbeaten with 27* off 13 balls with the aid of two sixes in the penultimate over.

For the England Champions, Liam Plunkett and Chris Tremlett picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, England Champions won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan Champions.

Pakistan Champions Playing XI

Mohammad Hafeez (c), Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal (WK), Asif Ali, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Rumman Raees, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan,

England Champions Playing XI

Eoin Morgan (c), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, James Vince, Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Tim Ambrose, Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Meaker, Phil Mustard (WK)

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has addressed a social media post by former women cricketer Sana Mir, stating that her comments are factually inaccurate.

Earlier today, Sana expressed her concerns on her official X account about the timing of the domestic 50-over tournament.

“So you are ruling out Pakistan from going past the group stage before the start of their campaign? What’s the point of the 50-over National Championship after the WC when you are only playing 3 ODIs in the build-up? Important to do constructive criticism for the betterment of the country rather than praising inefficiency,” Mir posted.

However, the cricket board emphasised that Sana Mir should have verified her facts before making public comments.

A senior official from the PCB Women’s Wing clarified that the National Women’s One-Day Tournament, listed in the recently announced 2025-26 domestic calendar, marks the beginning of a new season for Pakistan’s women cricketers.

The preceding one-day cycle concludes with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Addressing Sana Mir’s concerns about the alleged scheduling of a “hasty” one-day tournament in an already packed calendar, the PCB reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the physical and mental well-being of its players.

The PCB official said that from July 7 to November 2, 2025, the national women’s team will be engaged in a comprehensive programme that includes two training camps in Karachi and Lahore, an away T20I series, a home ODI series, and a demanding ICC Women’s World Cup campaign featuring seven league-stage matches before the knockout rounds.

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The PCB spokesperson said that Sana Mir also claimed that the domestic 50-over tournament would be held “at the same time when the ODI World Cup is happening?”.

The Board official noted that this assertion is factually incorrect as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will take place from September 30 to November 2, 2025.

The National Women’s One-Day Tournament is scheduled to be held in Karachi from November 10 to 23, 2025, with the support period beginning on November 6, which is well after the conclusion of the World Cup.

Regarding preparations for the upcoming 50-over World Cup, the PCB has already initiated a 25-day fitness and skills camp in Karachi, which includes multiple 50-over practice matches.

The focus on ODI cricket will intensify once the squad returns from Ireland on 12 August, following a three-match T20I series, and begins preparations for the South Africa ODI series starting 25 August in Lahore.

Between August 25 and September 28, 2025, the ODI squad will undergo rigorous training and participate in three home ODIs, along with two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka A in Colombo, to sharpen their 50-over skills ahead of the World Cup.

It is also worth noting that Pakistan remained unbeaten during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier held at home in April. Subsequently, all players participated in the National Women’s T20 Tournament in Karachi in May.

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DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named an unchanged squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting July 20 at the Shere-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The selectors have opted for continuity, retaining the same group of players that recently clinched a 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka on their home turf.

Explaining the decision, BCB’s Chairman of Cricket Operations, Najmul Abedeen Fahim, said the board is prioritising stability in the lead-up to the ICC T20 World Cup.

“It’s a different matter if changes are absolutely necessary, but till the World Cup, we want consistency and to avoid unnecessary experimentation,” Fahim stated.

“It’s important to have stability in the squad.”

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Meanwhile, the Pakistan T20I squad, led by Salman Ali Agha, landed in Dhaka on July 16 for the series against Bangladesh.

The touring squad features a blend of experience and new talent, although they are missing several key players.

Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf are unavailable due to injuries, while Hasan Ali continues his stint in England with the Birmingham Bears in the Vitality Blast.

The three-match T20I series is scheduled for July 20, 22, and 24. The last time these sides faced off was in May 2025, when Pakistan registered a clean 3-0 sweep at home.

Bangladesh squad for the T20I series against Pakistan

Litton Kumer Das (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Md Naim Sheikh, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain Patwari, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin.

READ: BCB eyes away series in August after India’s postponement of Bangladesh tour

KARACHI: Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha has firmly denied reports suggesting he was being considered for ODI captaincy, stating that no formal discussion regarding the role has taken place.

Speaking to reporters during the ongoing white-ball and pre-Bangladesh series camp, Salman addressed speculation around his future as captain, particularly in light of the short-lived stints of previous skippers Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Responding to a question on whether he too felt uncertain about his position, the all-rounder steered clear of commenting on past captaincy changes, instead emphasising his commitment to the current leadership role.

“It was also being said about me that I’m becoming the captain of all three formats. It was reported by you [reporters], I mean, you guys can say anything,” Agha said with a smile.

“But, until now, I’ve had no discussions regarding the ODI captaincy.

“I mean, whatever happened to the previous captains, I think I don’t need to talk about it, as it was not my concern.

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“I have to think about how I can bring the best out of my team. I only do things which are better for the Pakistan team, and that is my only goal.”

The 31-year-old also spoke about the absence of the senior trio Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Bangladesh T20I squad, confirming they are still part of the team’s long-term plans.

The trio is currently training with the national squad during the ongoing camp in Karachi, even though they will not feature in the upcoming three-match series in Dhaka.

“They [Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen] are all part of our core group of 25 players for the T20 World Cup,” said Salman Ali Agha.

“We need to have players who can replace anyone at any given time, and thus we are preparing our bench strength.

“As part of our future plans, we’ve shortlisted 25 players and you’ll see them rotating in the national setup up to the T20 World Cup.”

Pakistan are set to begin their T20I series against Bangladesh on July 20 in Dhaka, with matches scheduled for July 22 and 24 as well.

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KARACHI: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha opened up on the inclusion of the experience trio — Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi’s in the shorter format ahead of a packed international calendar.

The trio is currently not part of the Pakistan T20I tour of Bangladesh; however, they are training alongside the national squad in a week-long camp.

Babar and Rizwan were axed from the Pakistan team’s T20I plans after the away series against South Africa in December last year. Meanwhile, Shaheen was part of the five-match away series against New Zealand in March 2025.

Speaking to the media, Salman Agha emphasized the importance of building a strong bench strength ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

“We must have players ready to step up at the right time. We’ve identified a pool of 25 players from which the World Cup squad will be selected,” he said.

He underlined the significance of senior players, noting that their inclusion adds depth to the squad.

“Babar, Rizwan, and others are key assets for us. Their presence adds balance and experience,” he told reporters.

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Salman Agha hailed fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, deeming him crucial for Green Shirts in the upcoming fixtures.

“Shaheen is a world-class bowler. We’ll continue to see him playing a big role for Pakistan white-ball cricket in the future.”

For the unversed, Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh will be the first assignment under the new head coach, Mike Hesson. The opening match is scheduled for July 20, followed by the second T20I on July 22 and the third on July 24.

After wrapping up the Bangladesh tour, the Green Shirts will travel to the United States of America (USA) to face the West Indies in a three-match T20I series in Florida, set to take place from August 1 to 4.

Both sides will then head to Trinidad and Tobago for a three-match ODI series scheduled between August 8 and 12.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the final T20I and ODI squads for both assignments in the coming days.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh series:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim

Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I Series Schedule 

20 July – First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

22 July – Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

24 July – Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially revealed the ticket prices for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, set to begin on July 20 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Ticket prices will range from BDT 300 to BDT 3,500, offering options for fans across all budgets.

In a significant shift, the BCB has adopted a digital-first approach to ticketing, with all sales to be conducted online via the official eTicket platform starting July 15.

Fans will be able to choose their desired match date, gallery, block, and number of tickets before completing payment through credit card or digital wallet. A maximum of four tickets can be purchased per match per registered account.

Both printed and digital tickets will be valid for entry during the Bangladesh-Pakistan T20I series.

Any unsold tickets from the online phase will be made available at designated physical booths near the stadium on match days. The BCB will share booth details through its official digital platforms.

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The ticket breakdown is as follows:

• Eastern Gallery: Tk 300
• Northern Gallery: Tk 400
• Shaheed Abu Sayed Stand: Tk 400
• Club House: Tk 800
• International Gallery: Tk 1,500
• Grand Stand: Tk 2,500
• International Lounge: Tk 3,500

Pakistan are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on July 16 for the white-ball assignment.

The series serves as a rematch following Pakistan’s dominant 3-0 sweep in their previous T20I meeting at home in May.

Pakistan won the opening match by 37 runs, thanks to Shadab Khan’s outstanding all-round performance. He scored a rapid 48 runs off 25 balls and took two crucial wickets.

In the second T20I, Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz both made significant contributions with quick half-centuries, leading Pakistan to victory.

Meanwhile, the star of the third match was Mohammad Haris, who scored a blazing unbeaten century.

Pakistan-Bangladesh series schedule

• 20 July – First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)
• 22 July – Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)
• 24 July – Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

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