Pakistan is set to face Bangladesh in the third and final T20 International of the series tomorrow (Thursday) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with the match scheduled to begin at 5 PM local time. With Bangladesh already clinching the series 2-0, the men in green will be looking for a consolation win to avoid a 3-0 whitewash and salvage some pride before heading home.
This tour has not gone according to plan for Pakistan. Having entered the series with confidence—especially after defeating Bangladesh convincingly on home soil just six weeks ago—the visitors have struggled to adapt to foreign conditions. The sluggish pitch in Mirpur, the disciplined Bangladeshi bowling, and an unsettled batting order have all contributed to Pakistan’s disappointing performance in this T20I series.
Series Recap: Bangladesh Outclassing Pakistan
In the first two matches, Bangladesh has been the better team in every department. Pakistan’s batting unit failed to put up competitive totals, with senior players underperforming and younger players showing signs of inexperience. Bangladesh, on the other hand, capitalized on their home advantage, playing smart cricket in slow conditions.
The second T20I saw Pakistan fall short by just 8 runs, but the scoreline doesn’t fully reflect the control Bangladesh maintained throughout the match. Pakistan’s chase unraveled due to early wickets, and the middle order failed to rotate strike effectively.
Batting Struggles and Missed Opportunities
Captain Agha Salman has come under scrutiny for his performance, particularly in the second T20I where he managed only 9 runs off 23 deliveries, failing to provide the necessary momentum. Hasan Nawaz, a young batsman once touted as a power-hitter, has endured a forgettable series, getting dismissed for a duck in both outings.
The batting unit’s over-reliance on individual brilliance, rather than cohesive strategy, has exposed a lack of clarity in roles. While Faheem Ashraf provided a late surge in the second game with a fighting knock, it was too little, too late. The top-order collapses have made Pakistan’s innings hard to stabilize, especially under pressure from Bangladesh’s bowling unit.
Bowling Unit Lacking Penetration
Pakistan’s bowling attack, traditionally a strength, has looked toothless without its experienced players. The selectors chose to rest some senior bowlers, offering chances to fringe players, but the lack of control and penetration has allowed Bangladesh to build partnerships easily.
The absence of effective death bowling has been particularly noticeable. Mustafizur Rahman has been the standout bowler for Bangladesh, picking up three wickets in the series so far while maintaining an impressive economy rate under 5 runs per over.
Likely Changes for the Final Match
With the series already lost, Pakistan is likely to rotate their squad for the third T20I. Sahibzada Farhan and Sufiyan Muqeem, who are yet to feature in the series, are strong contenders to get a game. The management may also consider benching out-of-form players in favor of giving younger talent valuable exposure under pressure.
The game is also a chance for Pakistan’s selectors and coaches to assess bench strength, especially ahead of a packed T20 calendar, including key series and global tournaments.
Pitch and Conditions: A Testing Ground for Batters
The pitch at Mirpur has been under heavy criticism for its two-paced, sluggish nature, making strokeplay difficult and leading to low-scoring affairs. Former players and coaches have expressed concerns over the quality of surfaces used, but Bangladesh’s adaptability has turned it into a tactical advantage.
Pakistan, by contrast, has struggled to read the pitch. Their batters have either misjudged the bounce or failed to adjust their tempo, while bowlers haven’t consistently exploited the slowness of the wicket.
A Match That Still Matters
Despite the series outcome already decided, Thursday’s match holds significance. Avoiding a whitewash would not only help boost team morale, but also prevent Bangladesh from achieving only their third-ever 3-0 T20I clean sweep against a Full Member side.
More importantly, the game provides Pakistan with a platform to regroup and return to winning ways. The management has recently emphasized intent and fearless cricket, but the previous game raised doubts about whether that philosophy can hold when the team is under scoreboard pressure.
Even though Pakistan scored 78 runs off the final 45 balls in the second T20I, the inability to pace the innings in the earlier overs proved fatal. Such inconsistencies highlight the need for a balanced combination of aggression and game awareness.
The third T20I is more than a dead rubber for Pakistan—it’s an opportunity to course-correct and rebuild confidence in the team’s approach and player selection. A win won’t change the series outcome, but it will send a message that the team is willing to fight back, even when down.
For Bangladesh, the match is a chance to make history and cement their dominance on home soil. For Pakistan, it’s about character, pride, and beginning the road to redemption.
