Pakistan vs Bangladesh: ODI Series Begins

Pakistan is attempting to maintain its winning streak in the 50-over format against Bangladesh. Historically, Pakistan has dominated the encounters, securing 34 victories out of 39 One Day Internationals (ODIs) played between the two teams.

The opening match of the Dutch-Bangla Bank ODI Series 2026 is taking place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The match is scheduled to commence at 1:45 PM IST (2:15 PM local time). Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan.

This match marks Bangladesh’s return to 50-over cricket after missing the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The playing XI for Pakistan includes debutants Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Shamyl Hussain, while Bangladesh’s squad features captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, along with Litton Das and Taskin Ahmed.

Weather and Pitch Conditions

Weather officials in Dhaka have warned of scattered thunderstorms on the match day, with a maximum temperature expected to reach 32°C. The pitch at Shere Bangla National Stadium is known to assist spinners as the match progresses, which could play a crucial role in the outcome of the game.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating, “Yeah, definitely. It was an excellent start.” He emphasized the importance of every match, noting, “Every match is very important, you know, the qualifies [to] the World Cup.” Miraz also highlighted the need for bowlers to maintain discipline, saying, “If you bowl in the right area all the times, definitely it’s been difficult to because pace is there.”

Looking Ahead

As the match unfolds, observers will be keen to see how Pakistan’s debutants perform and whether they can help the team continue its successful run against Bangladesh. With two more matches remaining in the series after this ODI, both teams will be looking to gain an early advantage.