After hosting Sri Lankan at home, Pakistan is ready to play the three-match T20I series, two-match Test series, and only ODI against Bangladesh. With the start of the first T20I match against the Tigers on Friday (24 January), Pakistan had set a record to play the most number of T20I matches (150) in the cricket world.
Pakistan plays 150th T20I:
Pakistan becomes the first-ever country to feature in 150 T20Is while playing the first T20I match against Bangladesh. So far, the Men in Green in 149 T20I matches have won 90 and lost 55. While three of Pakistan’s matches have ended in a tie, one was abandoned due to rain.
Remarkably, Pakistan is also at the No.1 in the T20I team despite, lately, losing a string of T20I matches.
Earlier, Pakistan faced the drastic defeat against Sri Lanka in the home ground, losing 3-0. Then, Babar Azam-led Pakistan toured Australia where they again were beaten by the Kangaroos.
The Men in Green are currently on a six-match losing streak in the shortest format of the game and would like to win the three-match T20I series opener against Bangladesh. Pakistan’s defeat in this series could bring them down from the T20 rankings chart.
Pakistan’s shortest format skipper Azam will surely try to register the win in this T20I series–to maintain their position at the top.
Meanwhile, the two veterans in Mohammad Hafeez and former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik have been called back in the T20I squad. Also, there were speculations that ex-captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will also get the place back but the selector Misbah ul Haq had different plans.
The Gaddafi Stadium Lahore is hosting the T20I opener.