Pakistan have arrived in Bangladesh to play a three-match T20I series outside the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP).
With the ongoing series against Sri Lanka tied, Bangladesh are busy strategizing in Colombo ahead of the decider. Meanwhile, Pakistan have landed in Dhaka — their first visit in nearly four years for a T20 series.
The first batch of the Pakistan squad touched down in Bangladesh on Wednesday morning for the three-match series, which falls outside the ICC FTP. The rest of the squad is scheduled to arrive on a later flight in the afternoon.
This short series is part of efforts by the two cricket boards to strengthen bilateral relations.
Interestingly, the visitors arrived even before the home side returned. Skipper Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman, and five other players along with members of the team management were among the first group to reach Dhaka.
All three T20Is will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on July 20, 22, and 24 — each starting at 6 PM local time.
Meanwhile, in Colombo, Litton Das-led Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka on Wednesday evening in the series-deciding T20I at the Premadasa Stadium. They are expected to return home on Thursday.
The visiting Pakistan squad is scheduled to hold an optional practice session at Mirpur on Thursday before beginning full-fledged preparations on Friday.
Salman, Fakhar, Saim Ayub, and the rest of the squad also completed a training camp in Karachi, playing two practice matches split among themselves over a seven-day period.
Pakistan last toured Bangladesh in 2021, sweeping both the three-match T20I and two-match Test series. They also defeated Bangladesh 3-0 in a T20I series at home earlier this May-June.
Now, Bangladesh will be looking for a chance to settle scores and avoid another whitewash.