Pakistan vs Bangladesh: ODIs Dropped for T20Is in Upcoming Series
In a strategic move ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan vs Bangladesh bilateral series will no longer feature One Day Internationals (ODIs). Instead, both teams have decided to replace ODIs with T20 Internationals (T20Is) as part of their preparation for the global tournament.
Official Announcement from PCB
Sami Ul Hasan, Director of Media and Communications for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), confirmed on Sunday that the upcoming Pak vs Ban series in May and July will exclusively feature T20 matches.
The decision aligns with both teams’ plans to fine-tune their squads for the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka in February 2026.
Updated Pakistan vs Bangladesh Tour Schedule
A breakdown of the revised Bangladesh vs Pakistan series format is shown in the table below:
| Tour | Initial Format | Updated Format | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh’s Tour of Pakistan (May 2025) | 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is | 5 T20Is | 5 |
| Pakistan’s Tour of Bangladesh (July 2025) | 3 ODIs | 3 T20Is | 3 |
Both series have been adjusted to feature only T20Is, allowing players to gain more experience in the shortest format ahead of the major ICC event.
Key Tournaments Before the T20 World Cup
Prior to the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan and Bangladesh will also compete in the Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in India this September. This tournament will also follow the T20 format, further aiding in their preparation.
Ongoing and Upcoming Fixtures
- Pakistan vs New Zealand: Pakistan is currently playing a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, where the home side leads 3-1 with one game remaining.
- Pakistan vs New Zealand ODI Series: Following the T20 series, the teams will play a three-match ODI series from March 29 to April 5.
- Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025: Players will shift focus to the 10th edition of the PSL, running from April 11 to May 18.
Why This Shift Matters
The switch to T20Is instead of ODIs demonstrates both teams’ commitment to prioritizing T20 cricket, fine-tuning their strategies, and testing combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Cricket fans can look forward to an exciting Bangladesh vs Pakistan showdown in both home and away conditions, with high-stakes T20 cricket dominating the calendar.
Stay tuned for more updates on Pak vs Ban and other major cricket tournaments!
