BSS
  20 Jul 2025, 15:35
Update : 20 Jul 2025, 18:18

Taskin returns as Bangladesh opt to bowl first in 1st T20 with Pakistan 

Photo: Collected

DHAKA, July 20, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh captain Liton Das sent Pakistan into 
bat first after winning the toss in the three-match T20 International series 
opening game at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. 

Having won the toss, Liton snapped a nine-match streak of losing the toss.
But Bangladesh broke the winning combination that won the recent three-match 
T20 International series against Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh came from behind to beat Sri Lanka by 2-1, which was their first 
ever series victory against the Lankans in this format.

However, Taskin Ahmed returned to the squad, replacing his fellow fast bowler 
Shoriful Islam.

Pakistan are also high on confidence as they came into the series with the 
back of 3-0 sweep over Bangladesh at home last May.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said he would have also opted to bowl first if 
he won the toss.

"I would have done the same. I would have bowled first too, but it's all 
right," Agha said. "Toss is just a matter of starting the game. Our 
preparation has been outstanding. We had a camp in Karachi, and we were 
trying to prepare the same pitches we are going to get here, and we are ready 
for the game."

Line Ups: 

Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Liton Das(w/c), Towhid 
Hridoy, Shamim Patwari, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim 
Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris(w), Hasan Nawaz, Salman 
Agha(c), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman 
Mirza and Abrar Ahmed.