The initial contingent of the Pakistan cricket team touched down in Bangladesh on Wednesday, ahead of their three-match T20 International series. Captain Salman Ali Agha was among several players who have already arrived in Dhaka, with the remaining squad members expected to join them this afternoon. The first T20I between Bangladesh and Pakistan is scheduled to commence on Sunday, July 20th at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Speaking at a press conference before their departure on Tuesday, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha expressed his respect for the Bangladeshi side. "Bangladesh are a good team in any conditions," he stated. "In their home conditions, they are even better; if you check the records, you'll see they have defeated many top teams in the world. They are capable of giving us a very tough time in their own conditions. So, we have an understanding of these matters and have prepared ourselves accordingly."
Addressing his own captaincy and the challenges of international cricket, Agha added, "In international cricket, new challenges will arise every day. You have to go through such a rollercoaster. I feel that you have to adapt and move forward as things progress. Just like in life. As life moves forward, as a career progresses, you have to strategise and move ahead. I'm not overthinking these matters. It has always been this way."
Pakistani media outlet Geo Super reported that the first group, including captain Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, and Khushdil Shah, along with several coaching staff members, travelled via Karachi and Dubai. The rest of the squad was due to depart this Wednesday morning.
The three T20Is between Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to be played at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on July 20th, 22nd, and 24th. All matches will begin at 6:30 PM local time. Bangladesh recently completed another three-match T20I series in Pakistan last month, where they suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Litton Das's, Najmul Hossain Shanto's, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's side. This upcoming series in Bangladesh now presents the Tigers with an opportunity for redemption on home soil.
