Pakistan aim to keep up momentum from their strong T20 World Cup showing with a largely unchanged squad for this week's tour of Bangladesh, skipper Babar Azam said Thursday.

Advertisement

Babar's side stormed through the Super-12 phase of the Dubai tournament with five straight victories before a shock five-wicket loss to eventual winners Australia in the semi-final.

Advertisement

Pakistan fielded the same line-up in all six of their World Cup matches and have retained almost the same squad for the Bangladesh series, which starts with Friday's Twenty20 showdown in Dhaka.

"Momentum always matters in cricket and we would like to carry that momentum," Babar told reporters ahead of the game.

Mohammad Hafeez is the only player not to make the Bangladesh-bound flight after opting out of the squad, with Iftikhar Ahmed brought on as his replacement.

Bangladesh are missing several senior players who have been ruled out due to injury or rested after a disastrous World Cup campaign, where they failed to win a single Super-12 match.

Advertisement

Captain Mahmudullah Riyad said his side were looking to start afresh and put the Dubai debacle behind them.

"Whatever happened happened. If we think much about it that would affect us negatively. We want to think positive," he said.

The second and third Twenty20 internationals will be held on November 20 and 22 in Dhaka.

Advertisement

Both are day-night games, with fans returning to the stands in Bangladesh for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic shut stadiums to crowds in March 2020.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021

Pakistan will also play two Test matches during their tour.

Advertisement

About the Author

AFP News
Agence France-Presse (AFP) - Global News Leader AFP News: Agence France-Presse (AFP) is a world-renowned international news agency delivering real-time, accurate, and unbiased news coverage across politics, business, sports, technology, and global affairs. Founded in 1835, AFP operates in 151 countries, providing breaking news, investigative journalism, and multimedia content in multiple languages. With a vast network of correspondents, AFP ensures fast, verified, and high-quality news reporting, making it a trusted source for media, businesses, and governments worldwide. Stay updated with global headlines, exclusive reports, and in-depth analysis Read More
Latest Cricket News