The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to unveil the national squad by the end of this week for the upcoming three-match T20I series at home against Bangladesh, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The series, which will now begin on May 27, had faced uncertainty due to rising cross-border tensions that initially forced a delay and impacted the schedule. These tensions also led to a temporary halt of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10.
PSL 10 was originally scheduled to end on May 18; however, it was temporarily halted and then restarted on May 17. The final is now set for May 25.
The original intention was for Bangladesh to travel to Pakistan on May 21 for a five-match Twenty20 International series, with the opening match taking place in Faisalabad. However, due to ongoing logistical and security challenges, the tour has been scaled back to three matches.
The revised schedule was finalised following discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials, including Chairman Nazmul Abedeen and President Farooq Ahmed. Both boards agreed to proceed with a shortened series, ending on May 31 with one-day gaps between each match.
As the PCB finalises the squad, five players are believed to be on the radar — four seasoned campaigners and one rising star. Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, and youthful fast bowler Ali Raza are among the probable contenders.
In line with its recent policy of experimenting with new talent, the PCB is expected to rest high-profile players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Babar and Rizwan last appeared in a T20I in December 2024.
All-rounder Salman Ali Agha is set to continue as team captain after leading the side in the recent five-match series against New Zealand, which Pakistan lost 4-1.