PAKISTAN V BANGLADESH T20 SERIES: TV channels, schedule, team news - all you need to know

The Cricketer runs down the who, what, where, when, why, which channel and how wet it will be ahead of the three-match series

• International fixtures

What is it?

The multi-format series between Pakistan and Bangladesh begins with three T20Is as both sides continue their preparations for the T20 World Cup later this year. The organisation of the tour has been a protracted affair, with Bangladesh at one stage unwilling to commit to a full tour on Pakistani soil.

What’s the schedule?

FIRST T20: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Friday, January 24, 2pm local time, 9am GMT)

SECOND T20: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Friday, January 25, 2pm local time, 9am GMT)

THIRD T20: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Friday, January 27, 2pm local time, 9am GMT)

How is the series shaping up?

Well, it was not long ago that Pakistan were seemingly unbeatable in the shortest format. However, they have lost their last five completed matches, with only a washout against Australia preventing that run of form from showing successive whitewashes.

In fact, they won just a single T20I in 2019, losing eight games in total. The home drubbing at the hands of a makeshift Sri Lankan side saw major changes, with Babar Azam taking the reins from Sarfraz Ahmed, who was unceremoniously dropped from the side in response. Having been comprehensively beaten Down Under, the new captain leads a much-changed side into this latest test.

Haris Rauf, an unlikely star of the Big Bash with Melbourne Stars, is part of the squad. So, too, is Usman Qadir, the son of iconic leg-spinner Abdul Qadir. The youthful additions are joined by two players at the other end of their international careers: Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez are both included by Misbah-ul-Haq, who holds both the head coach and chief selector roles.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, are ever-improving in the white-ball arena. Mohammad Naim impressed against India in a 2-1 series defeat, with Mahmudullah in charge as captain. The two teams have not faced off in a T20I since the 2016 World T20, with Pakistan winning comfortably by 55 runs on that occasion.

^{Haris Rauf is set to make his international debut}

Who’s in and who’s out?

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Ahsan Ali, Amad Butt, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Usman Qadir

Bangladesh: Mahmudullah (c), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Moammad Naim, Najmul Hossain, Litton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Hasan Mahmud

What will the weather be like?

No rain is expected in Lahore for any of the three T20Is, but fog is likely, with temperatures set to hover around the 18-degree mark.

How can I follow it?

Those in Pakistan will be able to watch live coverage on PTV Sports, though no broadcast arrangements have yet been announced for UK viewers.

What if I fancy a bet?

Dafabet have Pakistan 4/11 to win the opening T20, with Bangladesh at 21/10.