Bangladesh and Pakistan lock horns in a high-stakes 2nd ODI at Mirpur with both sides eyeing crucial ODI World Cup 2027 preparation and much-needed momentum in the new FTP cycle.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Dutch-Bangla Bank BAN vs PAK ODI Series 2026 Series: Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2026 (3-match ODI series) Date: Friday, 13 March 2026 Time: 2:15 PM Local, 1:45 PM IST, 1:15 PM PKT, 8:15 AM GMT Venue: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka Format: Day-night ODI (50 overs)
The Mirpur pitch is traditionally slow, taking turn as the game progresses, with run-scoring never truly “easy” despite the relatively short straight boundaries. Spinners from both sides are expected to come strongly into play through the middle overs, with grip and variable bounce likely, especially in the second half of the first innings.
Pacers who can use cutters and hit the deck hard—such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mustafizur Rahman—should still find assistance with the new ball and into the twilight period. Dew remains a major talking point for this series, with the day-night schedule meaning the ball can skid onto the bat under lights, potentially making chasing slightly more comfortable if the outfield gets wet.
Dhaka is expected to be warm and humid in mid-March, with afternoon temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s and typical subcontinental humidity. While seasonal showers are always a small risk, no major weather disruption is anticipated for this fixture, so a full 50-over contest is likely. The humidity factor will test fitness levels and could make gripping the ball tricky for spinners later in the evening if dew becomes significant.
This series has been framed as a fresh start for both teams, but for different reasons. Pakistan arrive in Bangladesh rebuilding after a disappointing early exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, and they have boldly moved on from some senior names, including dropping Babar Azam from the ODI squad. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are returning to international action after missing the T20 World Cup entirely due to a dispute with the ICC over venue arrangements, meaning this ODI series is their first real chance in months to reset their white-ball plans.
The 2nd ODI is pivotal: if Pakistan lead, they’ll push for a series win and statement under Shaheen Shah Afridi’s leadership; if Bangladesh have struck first blood, they will sense a rare bilateral series win over a team that has historically dominated them. With the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 already on the horizon, both sides are using this match to test new combinations, solidify roles, and identify players who can be long-term fixtures.
PAK vs BAN Match Details
Match: Bangladesh vs Pakistan, 2nd ODI
Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
Time: 1:15 PM Local (13:45 IST)
Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka
PAK vs BAN 2026 Live Streaming Info
Live Streaming Channels for Bangladesh vs Pakistan 2nd ODI (March 13, 2026)
In India: No TV broadcast; stream exclusively on FanCode app/website (subscription required).
In Pakistan: Watch on PTV Sports (TV), Tamasha app (free stream), Geo Super, and Tapmad.
In Bangladesh: iScreen or GTV for broadcast; Rabbitholebd app for streaming.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Live Streaming Info:
The PAK vs BAN 2nd ODI Match will be live on PTV Sports.
Live Score Info:
Pakistan vs Bangladesh 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Current form and momentum
Pakistan enter the tour on the back of two consecutive ODI series wins, having beaten South Africa 2–1 and Sri Lanka 2–0 in their most recent bilateral assignments. That recent record underlines a side that, despite T20 struggles, still knows how to win 50-over cricket, especially with a powerful pace unit and an improving middle order.
Bangladesh’s most recent ODI assignment was a 2–1 home series win over West Indies in 2025, where their spinners and lower-order batting were key. However, their lack of recent cricket after the T20 World Cup dispute means rust and match sharpness could still be factors, particularly against a Pakistan side that has been playing regularly. Mirpur, though, remains their fortress, and Bangladesh’s confidence at home in this format is significantly higher than their overall ICC ranking might suggest.
Head-to-head record and last five meetings
Historically, Pakistan have dominated this rivalry in ODIs. Pakistan lead the all-time head-to-head 34–6 in 40 matches, underlining their long-term superiority. At the same time, Bangladesh have produced some memorable wins at home and famously whitewashed Pakistan 3–0 the last time the visitors toured for ODIs in 2015.
Recent official head-to-head data shows:
-
Total ODIs: 40
-
Pakistan wins: 34
-
Bangladesh wins: 6
Across the last five ODI meetings (neutral and home/away combined), Pakistan have the edge, but Bangladesh have consistently been more competitive, often stretching matches deep into the second innings. Those games have typically featured low-to-middling totals, with bowlers and conditions dictating the narrative rather than flat, high-scoring encounters.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan ODI overview
Bangladesh team analysis
Bangladesh are led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, whose dual role as captain and all-rounder is central to how the hosts structure their XI. The batting unit is built around Najmul Hossain Shanto, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy and the returning Litton Das, who has been picked specifically for his ability to handle spin and stabilize the middle order.
Their strengths include familiarity with Mirpur’s slow, turning surfaces, a well-rounded spin attack (Mehidy, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam), and experienced seam options in Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, all of whom know how to operate with older balls on abrasive pitches. Bangladesh’s lower middle order, boosted by Afif Hossain and Mehdi’s batting, gives them depth to push scores from 230 into the 260–280 range on tricky decks.
The key weakness remains consistency at the top: early collapses have historically put pressure on a middle order that often has to rebuild before accelerating. Their death bowling can also fluctuate, especially if Mustafizur doesn’t hit his yorkers and cutters, making scoreboard pressure vital when defending.
Key players for Bangladesh in this game:
-
Mehidy Hasan Miraz – captain, frontline spinner, and handy lower-order batter.
-
Litton Das – returning wicketkeeper-batter at No. 5, vital against Pakistan’s spinners and change-ups.
-
Mustafizur Rahman – experienced left-arm pacer with deceptive cutters ideal for Mirpur.
-
Rishad Hossain – leg-spinner in hot form with 14 wickets in his last 5 ODIs at an economy of 4.41.
Bangladesh probable XI
Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.
Pakistan team analysis
Pakistan arrive with a new-look squad and a new captain in Shaheen Shah Afridi, signalling an aggressive reset in their ODI plans. The big headline is the omission of Babar Azam, with selection instead rewarding in-form domestic performers and T20 World Cup 2026 standouts.
At the top, Sahibzada Farhan is set for his ODI debut after finishing as the leading run-scorer at the T20 World Cup 2026 with 383 runs, while Shamyl Hussain offers another attacking option. Mohammad Rizwan anchors the middle order, having scored 314 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 44.85, and Salman Ali Agha has been Pakistan’s top ODI run-scorer in their recent stretch with 320 runs at 45.71 and a strike rate close to 84.
Pakistan’s strengths revolve around their pace attack – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf give them pace, bounce and reverse swing potential on Mirpur’s abrasive surface. They also have quality spin options, including Abrar Ahmed and Faisal Akram, to exploit the turning track. Their batting, though less experienced without Babar, has power and intent, with several players comfortable attacking spin.
The main weakness is relative inexperience in subcontinental ODI conditions for some of the newer players, plus the risk that an aggressive batting approach could backfire on a tacky pitch. If early wickets fall, they will lean heavily on Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha to reconstruct the innings.
Key players for Pakistan in this game:
-
Shaheen Shah Afridi – captain and spearhead, crucial in the powerplay and at the death.
-
Mohammad Rizwan – glue of the batting lineup and experienced game manager in chases.
-
Sahibzada Farhan – in outstanding white-ball form and poised for a statement ODI debut.
-
Abrar Ahmed – mystery spinner who can be decisive on turning Mirpur pitches.
Pakistan probable XI
Probable XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Shamyl Hussain, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abdul Samad, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Maaz Sadaqat, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Key talking points
-
New era for Pakistan without Babar Azam: How quickly can the batting group settle under Shaheen’s leadership and shoulder run-scoring responsibility collectively?
-
Bangladesh’s return and home advantage: After months away from international cricket, can they harness Mirpur’s conditions and a passionate home crowd to unsettle Pakistan’s new-look unit?
-
Battle of spin: Mehidy, Rishad and Tanvir versus Abrar and Pakistan’s part-time options could decide the middle overs and ultimately the match.
-
Dew and toss: With day-night timing and likely evening dew, the toss decision—bat or bowl—could heavily influence strategy and totals.
On paper, Pakistan still hold a clear edge in overall head-to-head record and recent ODI series results, and their pace attack gives them genuine wicket-taking threat across 50 overs. However, conditions in Mirpur level things up significantly, as Bangladesh are extremely street-smart at home, especially when their spinners get a grip of the game and their top order avoids collapse.
Considering current form, squad depth and bowling variety, Pakistan start as very slight favourites, especially if Shaheen and Rauf strike early and Rizwan anchors the batting. But if Bangladesh’s top order lays a platform and their spinners can defend anything around 260 under lights, an upset is very much on the cards. Overall, Pakistan have a narrow edge, but expect a low-to-middling scoring contest with fine margins and spin dictating the story.