On July 22, 2025, Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first in the second T20I against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, aiming to level the series after a seven-wicket defeat in the opener. The match, starting at 6:00 PM local time, is a pivotal moment for the Green Shirts to regain momentum in the three-match series, which serves as preparation for the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.

Team Lineups

Bangladesh: Litton Das (c, wk), Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal

Context and Stakes

Bangladesh, led by Litton Das, enter the match with confidence after a clinical performance in the first T20I on July 20, where they chased down Pakistan’s 110 in just 15.3 overs. Parvez Hossain Emon’s unbeaten 56 and Taskin Ahmed’s three wickets were pivotal in securing a 1-0 lead. The hosts, buoyed by their recent 2-1 series win in Sri Lanka and a strong record at the spin-friendly Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, aim to clinch their first-ever T20I series victory against Pakistan.

Pakistan, under captain Salman Ali Agha, face pressure to rebound after their batting collapsed in the first match, managing only 110 runs, with Fakhar Zaman’s 44 the lone highlight. Missing veterans like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi, the young squad must adapt to the slow, turning Mirpur pitch, which favors spinners and disciplined batting. The team’s aggressive approach, led by players like Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris, will be tested as they seek a competitive total of 140–150 while chasing, as suggested by historical trends at the venue.

Pitch and Conditions

The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium’s pitch is known for assisting bowlers, particularly spinners, with early seam movement giving way to slower conditions as the game progresses. Average first-innings scores hover around 125–150, and teams batting second have historically dominated, winning the majority of matches at this venue. With humidity and potential rain in the forecast, dew could aid the chasing side, influencing Pakistan’s decision to bowl first.

Looking Ahead

For Pakistan, a disciplined bowling effort, led by debutant Salman Mirza and spinners like Abrar Ahmed, will be crucial to restrict Bangladesh’s in-form batting lineup. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will rely on their spin-heavy attack, including Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain, to exploit home conditions. A victory for the hosts could seal the series, while Pakistan aim to keep the contest alive heading into the third T20I on July 24.