The opening match of the Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2026 ODI series will see Bangladesh national cricket team take on Pakistan national cricket team at the iconic Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
This three-match ODI series begins in Dhaka, where Bangladesh will try to take advantage of home conditions. Pakistan, meanwhile, arrive with strong form and will look to start the series with a win.
Bangladesh are returning to ODI action after a long break from international cricket, while Pakistan will aim to bounce back after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign.
Match Details – BAN vs PAK 1st ODI
| Match | Bangladesh vs Pakistan – 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Series | Pakistan Tour of Bangladesh 2026 |
| Date | 11 March 2026 |
| Time | 1:45 PM IST |
| Venue | Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur |
| Live Telecast | FanCode |
| Format | One Day International |
Bangladesh Team Preview
Bangladesh will rely heavily on their spin-friendly home conditions. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz leads the side and is expected to play a crucial all-round role.
Batters like Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Towhid Hridoy form the backbone of the batting lineup. These players will need to build strong partnerships if Bangladesh want to post a competitive score.
The bowling unit is led by experienced pacer Mustafizur Rahman, whose cutters can be very effective on the slow Mirpur surface. With support from Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain, Bangladesh have a balanced bowling attack.
Playing in familiar conditions could give Bangladesh an important advantage.
Also see: BAN vs PAK Toss & Match Prediction 1st ODI
Pakistan Team Preview
Pakistan enter the series with a strong squad and will look to dominate the ODI format. Their batting lineup includes Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Rizwan, and Salman Agha, who can anchor the innings.
Farhan has been in excellent form recently and will be a key player at the top of the order. In the middle order, players like Hussain Talat and Abdul Samad add stability.
Pakistan’s bowling attack is led by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, supported by Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr. Their pace trio could play a major role even on a slow surface.
Pitch Report – Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
The pitch at Mirpur is well known for assisting spinners. Batting becomes difficult as the match progresses, making the toss important.
| Pitch Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Slow and spin-friendly |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 224 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 189 |
| Pace vs Spin | Spin dominates (71% wickets) |
| Weather | Around 30°C, hazy sunshine |
| Toss Strategy | Bat first preferred |
A score around 250 runs could be competitive on this surface.
BAN vs PAK Head to Head Record (ODIs)
| Matches | Bangladesh Wins | Pakistan Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | 5 | 34 |
Pakistan have historically dominated this rivalry in ODI cricket.
Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Results |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | W, L, W, L, L |
| Pakistan | W, W, W, W, L |
Pakistan appear to have better recent form going into the match.
Probable Playing XI
Bangladesh
Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Afif Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman
Pakistan
Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Salman Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Abdul Samad, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Faisal Akram
Key Players to Watch
| Team | Players |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman |
| Pakistan | Sahibzada Farhan, Shaheen Afridi |
BAN vs PAK Match Prediction
The conditions in Dhaka could help Bangladesh, but Pakistan’s stronger lineup and recent form may give them the edge.
| Scenario | Expected Score | Predicted Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh bat first | 240–250 | Pakistan |
| Pakistan bat first | 250–260 | Pakistan |
| Balanced match | Around 250 | Pakistan slight edge |
Final Prediction: Pakistan are likely to win the match, but Bangladesh could make it a close contest at home.









