Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh T20I Series 2025: Key Players, Absences, and Expectations

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, set to take place from July 20 to 24, 2025, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Led by all-rounder Salman Ali Agha, the squad features a blend of emerging talent and seasoned players, with notable absences like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. As Pakistan prepares for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, this series is a crucial step in testing squad depth and building momentum. In this article, we dive into the squad details, key inclusions, absences, and what to expect from the series.

Pakistan’s T20I Squad for Bangladesh Series

Announced on July 8, 2025, the squad reflects Pakistan’s strategy to nurture young talent while maintaining competitive edge under new white-ball head coach Mike Hesson. The team will arrive in Dhaka on July 16 for training sessions ahead of the series opener. Here’s the full squad:

• 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, Sufyan Moqim

Team Management:

• Naveed Akram Cheema (Manager), Mike Hesson (Head Coach), Ashley Noffke (Bowling Coach), Muhammad Hanif Malik (Batting Coach), Shane McDermott (Fielding Coach), Cliffe Deacon (Physiotherapist), Grant Luden (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Talha Ejaz (Analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (Media Manager), Irtaza Komail (Security Manager)

Source: PCB Official Website

Key Inclusions and Emerging Stars

The squad showcases Pakistan’s focus on youth and form, with several players earning call-ups based on standout performances in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) X and domestic circuits:

• Salman Mirza: The fast bowler earns his maiden T20I call-up after an impressive PSL X stint with Lahore Qalandars, taking 9 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 15.00 and an economy of 9.64. His inclusion compensates for the absence of pace spearheads like Haris Rauf.
• Mohammad Abbas Afridi: Replacing Mohammad Wasim Jnr (sidelined by a side strain), Abbas brings firepower with 33 wickets in 20 T20Is and 17 scalps in PSL X, making him a joint-second leading wicket-taker.
• Mohammad Nawaz and Sufyan Moqim: The return of all-rounder Nawaz and left-arm spinner Moqim strengthens the spin department, offering versatility in Dhaka’s spin-friendly conditions.
• Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman: Both openers return after recovering from injuries (Ayub’s ankle fracture and Zaman’s intercostal muscle sprain), adding firepower to the top order.

Notable Absences and Injury Updates

The squad omits several high-profile players, signaling a strategic shift toward experimentation:

• Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi: These star players, last featured in T20Is in December 2024, are absent, likely rested to manage workload ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
• Shadab Khan: The vice-captain misses out due to shoulder surgery in the UK, with a recovery timeline of approximately three months.
• Haris Rauf: Sidelined by a Grade 1 hamstring injury sustained during Major League Cricket 2025 with San Francisco Unicorns, Rauf’s absence opens doors for emerging pacers.
• Hasan Ali: Despite a strong PSL X and Vitality Blast, Ali’s exclusion is attributed to county commitments, a surprising move given his recent form.

Posts on X reflect fan reactions to these omissions, with users like @BasitSubhani and @iamqadirkhawaja noting the “new-look squad full of potential” but questioning the absence of Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen.

Series Context and Expectations

The three-match T20I series (July 20, 22, and 24) follows Pakistan’s 3-0 clean sweep over Bangladesh in Lahore in May 2025, marking Mike Hesson’s debut as white-ball coach. Played at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, known for its slow, low-bouncing pitches, the series will test Pakistan’s adaptability against Bangladesh’s spin-heavy attack, led by captain Litton Das.

• Historical Record: Pakistan dominates Bangladesh in T20Is, winning 16 of 19 matches, including 3 of 4 in Pakistan (one washout). Bangladesh’s sole bilateral series win came in 2015.
• Pitch and Conditions: Sher-e-Bangla’s spin-friendly track favors bowlers like Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim. Expect low-scoring thrillers, with batsmen like Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub needing to counter Bangladesh’s spinners.
• World Cup Prep: As part of Pakistan’s buildup to the 2026 T20 World Cup, this series tests bench strength, with upcoming tours against West Indies, Afghanistan, and others on the horizon.

Broadcast and Streaming Details

Fans can watch the series live:

• Pakistan: A Sports, Ten Sports, Tamasha, and Tapmad (streaming).
• International: Cricbuzz (Middle East/North Africa), TSports and Tapmad (Bangladesh), ARY (UK), Dialog (Sri Lanka), Super Sports (Africa), Willow TV (North America).
• Match Timings: 6:00 PM local time (6:30 PM PKT) for all three T20Is.

Source: PCB Official Website

Why This Series Matters

Under Salman Ali Agha’s leadership, Pakistan aims to maintain its dominance over Bangladesh while blooding new talent. The series is a proving ground for players like Salman Mirza and Mohammad Abbas Afridi, who could cement their spots for future ICC events. For Bangladesh, it’s a chance to upset Pakistan at home and build confidence under Litton Das. With Mike Hesson’s strategic input, Pakistan’s aggressive batting and versatile bowling could set the tone for their 2025-26 white-ball calendar.

Get Ready for the Action!

Will Pakistan’s young guns deliver in Dhaka, or can Bangladesh spring a surprise? Share your predictions in the comments and follow the series live on A Sports or Tapmad. For more cricket updates, visit PCB’s official website or Cricbuzz.