Bangladesh vs Pakistan Prediction & Match Preview – 1st ODI, Pakistan in Bangladesh 2026

Bangladesh return to international action after nearly three months away, following the controversies that ended with their withdrawal from the 2026 T20 World Cup. The home side have named a 15-man squad for the three-match ODI series, led by all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who has 1,790 runs and 121 wickets in ODIs (50 of them at home). Litton Das keeps his place despite a lean run, with 2,569 runs from 95 ODIs behind him.

The batting also features Soumya Sarkar (2,338 runs in 79 ODIs), Najmul Hossain Shanto (1,705 in 58) and Tawhid Hridoy (1,265 in 44). Rishad Hossain, who took 15 wickets in the 2025–26 Big Bash League, adds spin alongside Afif Hossain. Mustafizur Rahman (177 ODI wickets) and Taskin Ahmed (117) lead the pace group.

Pakistan arrive after exiting the T20 World Cup at the Super Eight stage and have made sweeping changes, including six possible debutants. Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, who has three ODI centuries in 17 games, are out. Sahibzada Farhan, the leading run-scorer at the World Cup with 383 runs, is in the squad. Shaheen Afridi captains in only his second assignment as ODI leader, backed by Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr, with Abrar Ahmed heading the spinners.

Probable playing XI

Pitch report

The Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur is known for slow surfaces that help spinners. Batters can score when the pitch is fresh, but it tends to slow down, with more turn and grip as the game goes on. Bounce can be low and inconsistent, so batters need time at the crease, and pace bowlers may find a little movement with the new ball before spin takes over in the middle overs.

Weather

Dhaka on 11 March should be warm and mostly sunny at the 2:15 pm local start, with temperatures around 30°C and moderate humidity. There is only a slight chance of rain, so interruptions look unlikely.

Expected scores

• 1st innings: 235–255
• 2nd innings: 210–235