BD share tentative dates with PCB

The Men in Green are scheduled to play three T20Is in July

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has drafted the initial schedule and shared it with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The T20I series will begin on July 20, with the second and third matches scheduled for July 22 and 24, respectively.

All three matches are set to be hosted at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Pakistan's tour of Bangladesh is not part of the Future Tours Program (FTP). This series was agreed upon during discussions between senior officials of the PCB and BCB on the sidelines of the ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.

After the conclusion of the T20 series against Bangladesh, the Pakistan team will depart for the West Indies.

There, they will face the Caribbean side in a three-match T20I series beginning on July 31 in the United States. This will be followed by a One Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies as well.

Meanwhile, the third T20I between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played on Sunday at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Shoriful Islam injured

Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam has been ruled out of the third and final T20I against Pakistan, scheduled for Sunday at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, after suffering a groin injury.

In his absence, pacer Khaled Ahmed is likely to be included in the playing XI for the third match. Additionally, Najmul Hossain Shanto may also be given a chance in the Bangladesh lineup.

Pakistan holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series, having thoroughly outclassed the visitors in both earlier games.

Meanwhile, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 37 runs in the first T20I here at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on May 28. Chasing a target of 202, the Bangladeshi side was bowled out for 164 in 19.2 overs.

The second T20I also saw a dominant Pakistani performance. Batting first, the hosts posted 201/6 in their allotted 20 overs. In response, Bangladesh was bundled out for 144 in 19 overs.

Pakistan delivered a clinical performance to defeat Bangladesh by 57 runs in the second T20I, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are expected to make one change to their playing XI for the third and final T20I against Bangladesh, scheduled for Sunday at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Pacer Haris Rauf is likely to be rested due to his poor form, with either Abbas Afridi or Naseem Shah set to replace him in the lineup.

Rauf has struggled in the ongoing series, claiming just one wicket while conceding 59 runs in five overs at an economy rate of 11.80.

Despite Saim Ayub's disappointing form — scoring a duck in the first T20I and four runs in the second — the opening pair of Saim and Sahibzada Farhan is expected to be retained.

In the second T20I, the hosts delivered a dominant performance, defeating Bangladesh by 57 runs.

After electing to bat, Pakistan posted a commanding 201/6 in 20 overs. Despite an early setback with the dismissal of Saim Ayub, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris (41 off 25) and Sahibzada Farhan (74 off 41) stitched together a blistering 103-run stand for the second wicket.

Farhan's knock featured four boundaries and six towering sixes. Following their departure, captain Salman Ali Agha (19 off 12) and Hasan Nawaz added 45 runs for the fourth wicket, maintaining the tempo.

Hasan finished unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls, striking two fours and three sixes.

In response, Bangladesh got off to a flying start, reaching 38/0 in just three overs with Tanzid Hasan scoring a quickfire 33.

However, a middle-order collapse, sparked by Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf, reduced them to 77/7 by the 10th over.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib showed some resistance with a valiant 50 off 31 deliveries, including five sixes, but received little support from the other end. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 144 in 19 overs. Pakistan's bowling effort was well-rounded, with Abrar Ahmed leading the way with figures of 3/19 in four overs.

Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah and Saim Ayub each claimed a wicket to complete a dominant team performance.