Pakistan vs Bangladesh Archives

Mohammad Haris surpasses Babar Azam’s record in T20I cricket

Mohammad Haris lit up Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night with a record-breaking performance, surpassing Babar Azam and Ahmed Shehzad to become Pakistan’s second-fastest centurion in T20I history.

The wicketkeeper-batter powered an unbeaten 107 off just 46 balls in the final T20I against Bangladesh, an innings studded with eight boundaries and seven towering sixes at a strike rate of 232.60.

His fireworks not only sealed a 3-0 series sweep for Pakistan but also earned him the Player of the Match accolade.

Haris reached his maiden T20I hundred in just 45 deliveries, eclipsing Babar’s 49-ball effort against South Africa (2021) and Shehzad’s 58-ball ton against Bangladesh (2014).

Only Hasan Nawaz stands ahead of him, courtesy of a 44-ball century against New Zealand earlier this year.

Fastest T20I Centuries for Pakistan:

44 balls – Hasan Nawaz vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025
45 balls – Mohammad Haris vs Bangladesh, Lahore, 2025
49 balls – Babar Azam vs South Africa, Centurion, 2021
58 balls – Ahmed Shehzad vs Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2014
58 balls – Babar Azam vs New Zealand, Lahore, 2023

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Pakistan’s chase against Bangladesh began shakily with Sahibzada Farhan falling for 1 (4) to Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the first over.

But Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub settled nerves quickly with an attacking 56-run stand in the powerplay.

The pair went on to add 92 runs for the second wicket, with Saim playing a fluent hand of 45 off 29 before falling to Tanzim Hasan with Pakistan at 100-2 in the 10th over.

Haris, unfazed by the loss, reached his half-century in the 11th over and continued to dictate terms. Hasan Nawaz added a brisk 26 off 13 before Mehidy struck again, but the chase was well in hand by then.

Captain Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 14* (11), but the night belonged to Haris, who stayed till the end to finish the job in style.

Pakistan romped home in just 17.1 overs, closing out the series with a clean sweep.

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“Sky is the limit”: Ahmed Shehzad praises Sahibzada Farhan after comeback knock

Pakistan Test cricketer Ahmed Shehzad highly praised returning opener Sahibzada Farhan for his blistering 74-run knock in the second T20I against Bangladesh.

The right-hander made his T20I debut back in 2018 but featured in only two more matches that year before being sidelined.

His next chance came over five years later, during the Australia tour in January 2024 under Shaheen Shah Afridi’s captaincy.

But Sahibzada Farhan couldn’t leave a mark in that series — scores of 1 and 19 in two games saw him dropped yet again. He returned to the side during the tours of Australia later that year, but failed to leave a lasting impression.

However, he kept piling on runs in domestic cricket and finished as the top-scorer in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10.

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On Friday, Farhan finally got another opportunity, replacing the unfit Fakhar Zaman, and made it count in style.

Opening the innings, he smashed 74 off just 41 balls, hitting ten boundaries, including six sixes, to set the tone for Pakistan’s commanding total of 201-6 at Gaddafi Stadium.

It was his first T20I in six months and his maiden fifty in Pakistan colours, a knock that not only helped his side seal the series but also reignited hopes of a long-term future in the green shirt.

Following the match, Ahmed Shehzad took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to heap praise on the 29-year-old batter.

“So happy to [see] Sahibzada Farhan getting the opportunity for Pakistan [and] he making it count,” Shehzad posted. “Fantastic start for him. What an inning. What a player. Sky is the limit.”

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Salman Ali Agha opens up after Pakistan’s long-awaited T20I series win at home

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha opened up after leading his side to a resounding 57-run win over Bangladesh in the second T20I at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

This victory not only clinched the series 2-0 but also marked Pakistan’s first T20I series win at home in over three years.

The last time Pakistan won a T20I series on home soil was back in December 2021, when they swept West Indies 3-0.

Speaking after the match, Agha admitted he wasn’t aware of the three-and-a-half-year drought but called the win “incredibly special.”

“This achievement feels incredibly special – I hadn’t realised it’s been three and a half years since the last one. The team’s effort has made me immensely proud,” he said at the post-match presentation.

With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, Salman Ali Agha also laid out his vision for building a squad that’s not just balanced but deep enough to handle injuries without disruption.

“This is exactly what we’ve built towards – having 15 match-ready players. That depth means seamless replacements for any injuries – the kind of selection headache every captain dreams of,” he explained.

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He particularly stressed the need to develop a robust pace attack, highlighting the importance of having three reliable frontline seamers, backed up by three to four capable reserves.

“We’re committed to expanding our options, particularly in bowling depth. My vision is three frontline pacers plus 3-4 quality backups ready to step up when needed.”

Agha, who has quickly grown into the leadership role, credited the team’s attitude and hunger to perform for making his job smoother.

“Leading this team is a joy. When players are this motivated to perform for their country, my job becomes easier. I hope we maintain this standard long-term,” he said.

One of the brightest sparks of this series has been Hasan Nawaz — the young batter who continues to impress with his fearless approach and shot-making ability. Agha was full of praise for the rising star.

“Hasan Nawaz is batting at another level. His ability to dominate spinners and clear boundaries at will is rare,” he remarked. “He’s embraced his middle-order role brilliantly – this generational talent is transforming our lineup.”

READ: Sahibzada Farhan reflects on ’emotional’ comeback against Bangladesh

Sahibzada Farhan reflects on ’emotional’ comeback against Bangladesh

LAHORE: Sahibzada Farhan made a memorable return to international cricket on Wednesday night, playing a blistering knock that helped Pakistan seal the T20I series against Bangladesh here at Gaddafi Stadium.

The 29-year-old opener, who replaced an unfit Fakhar Zaman in the playing XI for the second T20I, smashed 74 off just 41 balls, laced with 10 boundaries — including six towering sixes.

His fearless approach at the top set the tone for Pakistan’s dominant total of 201-6, eventually leading to a comprehensive 57-run victory.

After receiving his first-ever Player of the Match award in Pakistan colours, an emotional Sahibzada spoke candidly about his journey.

“This is an incredibly emotional moment for me – making my national team comeback and earning my first Player of the Match award for Pakistan. I couldn’t be happier,” he said at the post-match presentation.

Sahibzada Farhan, who has been in and out of the national setup for years despite consistently topping domestic charts, credited his mental growth and domestic grind for this performance.

“I believe I’ve ticked most of the boxes. My domestic cricket experience before franchise cricket taught me the standards required to succeed internationally. This is just the beginning – I’ll keep pushing to improve and work even harder,” he added.

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Having missed out on recent tours to South Africa and New Zealand, this was yet another comeback for the right-hander, and he was determined to make it count.

“Fear doesn’t hold me back anymore. This is my third or fourth comeback, and every year I pile up domestic runs to earn my recall. Today, you all witnessed that I play without the fear of failure,” he asserted.

“I stuck to what worked in franchise cricket – staying confident and ready to prove my worth when the opportunity came.”

While Sahibzada Farhan stole the headlines, youngster Hasan Nawaz also impressed with an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, providing the finishing touches with two fours and three sixes.

In the second half, Pakistan’s bowlers got the job done efficiently. Abrar Ahmed starred with the ball, picking 3-19 in his four overs, as Bangladesh folded for 144 in 19 overs.

With this win, Pakistan have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. The third and final match will be played on June 1 at the same venue.

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Former cricketer backs Babar Azam, Rizwan’s exclusion from T20I team

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has thrown his weight behind the decision to exclude star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the national T20I team.

Babar and Rizwan were dropped earlier this year for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, a decision the selection committee described as a move to test younger players ahead of the T20 World Cup.

The star batters have also been left out of the ongoing home series against Bangladesh.

Speaking on a recent podcast, Kamran Akmal addressed the growing speculation that both batters might be permanently phased out of Pakistan’s T20 plans.

“That’s absolutely the right decision,” said the 43-year-old. “I believe this should happen because these players are more suited for the longer format of the game.”

Taking it a step further, Akmal even questioned their place in the ODI setup, suggesting that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan should focus solely on red-ball cricket moving forward.

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“After another six months, they should be sidelined from ODIs too. Pakistan hardly plays Test matches these days — no one’s even talking about them — but if real players are made anywhere, it’s through Test cricket,” he remarked.

The former wicket-keeper reiterated the foundational value of red-ball cricket, asserting that mastering Test cricket improves a cricketer’s game across all formats.

“You can’t just play T20 and expect to be great at Test cricket too. If someone plays Test matches, they can handle ODIs and T20Is as well,” Kamran Akmal added.

It’s worth noting that a new-look Pakistan side, under Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy, managed to win only one game during the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

However, they had a strong start to their current home series against Bangladesh, winning the first match by 37 runs.

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“What more could I ask for?” – Hasan Ali delighted after T20I comeback

LAHORE: Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali marked his return to international cricket in style on Wednesday, grabbing his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is to help his team seal a 37-run win over Bangladesh in the series opener.

Returning to the national side after more than a year, the experienced pacer looked as if he had never been away.

He struck early and often, removing both Bangladesh openers, Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan, within his first two overs before running through the middle and lower order to claim the bowling figures of 5-28.

It’s been a tough road back for the 29-year-old, who last donned Pakistan’s T20I colours in May 2024 against Ireland.

A subsequent elbow injury during the County Championship in July sidelined him for months, raising concerns over his future.

He made his comeback during the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, where he finished as the joint-second highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps, a performance that earned him a well-deserved return to the national setup.

Reflecting on his dream comeback, Hasan credited a straightforward plan and the backing of his teammates.

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“The plan was simple — bowl in the right areas,” he said after the match. “Honestly, credit goes to our batters who set up a solid total, which allowed us to bowl with a clear strategy.”

“What more could I ask for? To return with a five-wicket haul in a format where bowlers rarely dominate — it’s truly special.”

Hasan Ali also spoke about the importance of pace variations in the modern T20 game, highlighting how crucial it is for bowlers to adapt.

“T20 cricket heavily favours batters, so having variations in your arsenal is key. I’m happy I could execute those when it mattered most,” he added.

The pacer took a moment to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its medical staff for standing by him during his lengthy rehab.

“Rehabilitation was tough — boring, demanding, and mentally draining. It required full commitment, passion, and hunger,” Hasan revealed.

“There were times when I thought the injury could end my career, but the PCB and my physio staff were phenomenal in their support.”

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Match officials announced for Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board, on Tuesday, announced the match officials for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle, who is a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control teams for the T20I series.

Madugalle, who has also officiated the most international cricket matches (804) across three formats as Match Referee, also led playing control teams in seven matches of the recently concluded HBL PSL X.

For the first T20I between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz – both part of the PCB International Panel of Umpires, will be the on-field umpires.

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Ahsan Raza, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires will be the third umpire, while Faisal Khan Aafreedi – an ICC International Panel Umpire, will act as the fourth umpire.

In the second T20I, Rashid Riaz will join Faisal Khan Aafreedi to perform the on-field duties, while Ahsan Raza will be the third umpire. Asif Yaqoob will be the fourth umpire.

For the third T20I, Ahsan Raza will be joined by Asif Yaqoob to perform on-field duties, while Faisal Khan Aafreedi will be the third umpire. Rashid Riaz will work as the fourth umpire for the final T20I of the series.

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin tomorrow. The second and third matches are scheduled for May 30 and June 1, respectively, all taking place at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Pakistan-Bangladesh Squads

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub.

Bangladesh: Litton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Zakir Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-captain), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam.

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Bangladesh face major blow ahead of Pakistan T20I series

LAHORE: Bangladesh have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their three-match T20I series against Pakistan, as pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out due to injury.

The left-arm fast bowler sustained a thumb injury during his final Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 appearance for Delhi Capitals against Punjab Kings on May 24.

The incident occurred when Mustafizur was struck on his left thumb while attempting a return catch off a powerful drive from Josh Inglis. He immediately left the field and did not return.

Subsequent scans revealed a clip fracture in the thumb. Bangladesh team physio Delowar Hossain confirmed the injury and stated that Mustafizur will need at least two to three weeks of rest before undergoing a reassessment.

“Mustafizur sustained a clip fracture on his left thumb during his last IPL match. He needs time for rest and recovery. A follow-up assessment will be carried out after two weeks to evaluate his progress,” Delowar said.

In Mustafizur’s absence, right-arm pacer Khaled Ahmed has been drafted into the squad.

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The 31-year-old has been in stellar form across domestic cricket this season, claiming 77 wickets at an impressive average of 21.74 across formats.

He was also a standout performer in the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he picked up 20 wickets at 21.55.

Khaled becomes the third addition to the squad after changes due to unavailability.

Earlier, Nahid Rana opted out of the tour due to personal reasons, while Soumya Sarkar was sidelined with a back injury and subsequently replaced by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with matches scheduled for May 28, May 30, and June 1.

Bangladesh’s updated squad for Pakistan T20Is

Litton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Zakir Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-captain), Tanvir Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam.

READ: Bangladesh squad arrive in Lahore for Pakistan T20Is

Bangladesh squad arrive in Lahore for Pakistan T20Is

LAHORE: The final batch of Bangladesh cricket team members, including four players and support staff, landed in Lahore on Monday ahead of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan.

This group features key players Litton Das, Shoriful Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Towhid Hridoy. They join the rest of the squad, completing Bangladesh’s staggered arrival in Pakistan for the series.

Earlier on Sunday, a 10-member contingent touched down in Lahore, which included Hasan Mahmud, Tanvir Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, among others.

Originally slated as a five-match series with the first game scheduled for May 25 in Faisalabad, the tour was revised due to logistical complications and updated security protocols.

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Following a high-level meeting between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and top Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials, Nazmul Abedeen and BCB president Farooq Ahmed, the two boards mutually agreed to a shortened, three-match series.

Under the revised schedule, all T20Is will now be held at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with matches scheduled for May 28, May 30, and June 1.

Pakistan-Bangladesh Squads

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PCB announces ticket prices for Pakistan-Bangladesh series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Saturday, unveiled the ticket prices for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

The series will begin on May 28, with the second and third matches taking place on May 30 and June 1, respectively.

All matches are scheduled to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and the first ball will be bowled at 8 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST).

Tickets will be available to fans from 25 May onwards at TCS Express Centres only.

In the first phase, tickets will be available tomorrow at TCS Express centres located at Davis Road and Gulberg, Lahore.

To encourage fans to come to the ground, affordable ticket prices have been set for the series between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The general enclosures (Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Ahmed) at the Gaddafi Stadium will be available to fans at PKR 200.

The first-class enclosures (Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Abdul Qadir, Javed Miandad and Sarfaraz Nawaz) will be available at PKR 300, while the premium enclosures (Rajas and Saeed Anwar) will be available to fans at PKR 400.

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The VIP enclosures (Fazal Mahmood and Imran Khan) will be available to fans at PKR 500.

Moreover, Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas (VVIP enclosures) at the Jinnah End and Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram (VVIP enclosures) at the Iqbal End will be available to fans at PKR 2,000.

Additionally, the fans can witness action from the Gallery (hospitality) boxes at PKR 2,000.

Fans wishing to watch their cricketing stars can buy a maximum of four tickets on one CNIC card.

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