WATCH: Salman Mirza makes his debut for Pakistan in first T20I against Bangladesh

MIRPUR: Pacer Salman Mirza is making his debut in the opening T20I of the three-match series against Bangladesh here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan’s opening batter, Fakhar Zaman, presented Mirza with his cap ahead of the toss. The team players and support staff expressed their best wishes for Salman Mirza.

Fellow players and support staff expressed their appreciation for Salman Mirza’s good results.

The left-arm pacer was named in the T20I squad on the back of strong performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

Salman Mirza played a crucial role in the latter part of the tournament, contributing significantly to the Lahore Qalandars’ title-winning campaign. In PSL, he took nine wickets in four matches, including a three-wicket haul in the all-important do-or-die clash against Islamabad United.

For Pakistan, the series marks their first away assignment under the newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson.

The national squad, which arrived in Dhaka earlier this week, held its first training session at the Shere Bangla Stadium on Friday, after a rest day on Thursday.

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Batting, bowling, and fielding drills were conducted under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff.

The series will also serve as a rematch of sorts, following a clean 3-0 sweep by Pakistan over Bangladesh at home back in May. However, conditions in Dhaka are expected to be a different ball game altogether.

Head to Head:

Pakistan and Bangladesh have faced each other 22 times in T20Is, with Pakistan emerging victorious in 19 matches, while Bangladesh has secured victory on just three occasions.

Pakistan Playing XI

Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha(C), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Bangladesh Playing XI

Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (C/WK), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

READ: Bangladesh win toss, bowl first against Pakistan in first T20I