Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st ODI Live: Shaheen’s Men Bat First in Dhaka
The much-anticipated Pakistan vs Bangladesh ODI series kicked off on Wednesday March 11 2026 at the iconic Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur Dhaka . After a decade-long gap, the two Asian rivals are facing each other in a three-match 50-over series that serves as crucial preparation for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup .
Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and elected to field first, citing the dew factor and the relative ease of chasing under lights at the venue . Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi confirmed he would have preferred to bat first to allow his three debutants—Maaz Sadaqat, Abdul Samad, and Faisal Akram—to bat freely without the pressure of a chase .
Pakistan vs Bangladesh
Live Match Update Pakistan 37/0 after 9.3 Overs
At the time of writing, Pakistan’s openers have provided a solid start. Sahibzada Farhan is unbeaten on 23 off 35 balls with three boundaries, while debutant Maaz Sadaqat is batting on 14 off 22 deliveries with three fours . The pair has added 37 runs for the first wicket, negotiating the new ball spell from Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman with caution .
Pakistan’s scoring received a boost in the 5th over when Maaz Sadaqat struck his first boundary in international cricket, driving Mustafizur Rahman through the covers for four . Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan had opened his account with a single off Taskin Ahmed and later carved the same bowler through point for the first boundary of the innings .
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Head to Head Records Pakistan Dominant
Looking at the historic Pakistan vs Bangladesh rivalry in ODIs, Pakistan holds a commanding advantage. Across 39 completed ODI meetings, Pakistan has won 34 matches while Bangladesh has managed only five victories . The first-ever encounter between these sides dates back to March 31 1986 .
In their most recent ODI meeting during the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan emerged victorious . Bangladesh’s last ODI win against Pakistan came in 2018, highlighting the visitors’ historical dominance in the format .
Criteria Bangladesh Pakistan
- Matches Played 39 39
- Matches Won 5 34
- Matches Lost 34 5
- No Result/Tied 1 1
Full Squads for the 1st ODI
Both teams have named strong XIs for the opening encounter, with Pakistan handing debuts to three players while Bangladesh welcomes back Litton Das to the middle order .
Bangladesh Playing XI:
- Tanzid Hasan Tamim
- Saif Hassan
- Najmul Hossain Shanto
- Litton Das (wicketkeeper)
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain)
- Towhid Hridoy
- Afif Hossain
- Taskin Ahmed
- Rishad Hossain
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Nahid Rana
Pakistan Playing XI:
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Maaz Sadaqat (debut)
- Shamyl Hussain
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
- Salman Agha
- Hussain Talat
- Abdul Samad (debut)
- Faheem Ashraf
- Shaheen Afridi (captain)
- Mohammad Wasim Jr
- Abrar Ahmed (debut)
Key Selection Decisions and Omissions
The Pakistan vs Bangladesh series has generated significant discussion due to several surprising selection calls. Pakistan has notably dropped former captain Babar Azam from the ODI squad, along with other senior players like Imam-ul-Haq and Naseem Shah . Head coach Mike Hesson explained that this is not a reaction to Pakistan’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign but rather an opportunity to test bench strength ahead of the 2027 World Cup .
Pakistan has included six uncapped players in their squad, with three featuring in the first XI . Sahibzada Farhan, who was the highest run-scorer in the T20 World Cup 2026 with 383 runs including two centuries, has been rewarded with an ODI debut opportunity .
For Bangladesh, the return of Litton Das is significant. Head coach Phil Simmons confirmed that Das will bat at number five, a position he last occupied during the 2019 World Cup . Simmons believes Das’s experience and skill against spin bowling will strengthen Bangladesh’s middle order, which has been an area of concern .
Pitch Report and Conditions
The Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur is traditionally known for being one of the most spin-friendly venues in world cricket . The surface is expected to be sluggish, making run-scoring difficult, particularly as the innings progresses. Winning the toss and batting first has often been a fruitful strategy here, though evening dew can assist chasing teams .
Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz opted to bowl first believing that chasing under lights would be easier and backing his strong bowling attack to take early wickets .
Match Prediction and Expectations
Experts predict that the team batting first will likely set a total in the range of 250 to 260 runs, considering the challenging nature of the surface . Pakistan’s top order will need to negotiate the new ball spells of Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, while Bangladesh’s spinners will come into play during the middle overs.
Sahibzada Farhan is identified as a probable best batter given his excellent recent form, while Mustafizur Rahman’s cutters and variations on his home ground make him a potent threat .
Series Context and Importance
This Pakistan vs Bangladesh series marks the return of both teams to ODI cricket after significant gaps. Pakistan last played a 50-over series in November 2025 when they whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0 at home . Bangladesh’s most recent ODI assignment was against the West Indies in October 2025, which they won 2-1 .
For Bangladesh, this series represents an opportunity to rediscover stability and confidence after their controversial withdrawal from the T20 World Cup 2026 due to security concerns . For Pakistan, it’s a chance to rebuild with fresh talent and move forward from a disappointing World Cup campaign where they failed to reach the knockout stages .
Analysis by Best Pak Mag:
The Pakistan vs Bangladesh ODI series represents a fascinating crossroads for both teams. For Pakistan, the decision to blood three debutants and rest senior players like Babar Azam signals a clear strategic shift toward 2027 World Cup preparation. This bold approach carries short-term risks but could yield long-term dividends if players like Maaz Sadaqat and Abrar Ahmed seize their opportunities. The early signs are positive with openers providing a steady platform despite the challenging conditions. For Bangladesh, the toss decision to bowl first reflects confidence in their bowling attack, but the lack of early breakthroughs against a new-look Pakistan top order may shift pressure onto their batters later. Litton Das’s move to number five is intriguing—his experience could stabilize the middle order, but it also exposes Bangladesh to early wickets at the top. Historically Pakistan’s dominance in this fixture is overwhelming, but Bangladesh’s home advantage and spin-friendly conditions level the playing field. The next few hours will reveal whether Pakistan’s experimentation pays off or whether Bangladesh capitalizes on home conditions to start the series on a winning note.
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