Bangladesh to Face UAE in T20I Series Before Pakistan Tour

Bangladesh is set to begin a busy international season with a two-game T20I series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah, scheduled for May 17 and 19.

This series marks the second bilateral T20I contest between the two nations in the last three years. The previous encounter occurred in Dubai in 2022, where Bangladesh secured a 2-0 victory.

Emirates Cricket Board COO Subhan Ahmad stated, “Over the past three years, we have welcomed ICC Full Members New Zealand, West Indies, and Afghanistan. Bangladesh’s T20I series tour represents their second bilateral visit to the UAE within this period.”

He further noted, “The upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh will offer the UAE an excellent opportunity to prepare for this year’s T20 Asia Cup.”

For Bangladesh, the UAE series marks the commencement of an extensive T20I campaign.

Following their games in Sharjah, the team will proceed to Pakistan for a five-match T20I series, after which they will travel to Sri Lanka for two Test matches, three ODIs, and two T20Is.

In August, Bangladesh will host India for three ODIs and three T20Is as a prelude to the Asia Cup.

BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury commented, “We appreciate the Emirates Cricket Board’s initiative in organizing this T20I series.”

He added, “These matches will play a crucial role in our team’s preparations for a busy international schedule, including the forthcoming Asia Cup. We are confident that these two matches will further strengthen the cricketing ties between the BCB and ECB, while also providing quality entertainment for cricket enthusiasts.”

Meanwhile, the UAE is currently participating in the ICC World Cup League 2 in the Netherlands and is positioned at the bottom of the eight-team standings, having secured two wins in 11 matches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently confirmed that Bangladesh will tour Pakistan in May for a five-match T20I series.

Originally planned as a series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is under the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), the format has been modified. Both cricket boards have mutually decided to convert the ODIs into T20Is to enhance preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next year.

The T20I series will take place at two venues, Faisalabad and Lahore, from May 25 to June 3.

Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, the recent host of the Champions One-Day Cup in September and the National T20 Cup in April, is scheduled to host the first two matches on May 25 and 27.

The Bangladesh squad is expected to arrive in Pakistan on May 21 and will conduct training sessions at Iqbal Stadium from May 22 to 24.

Pakistan holds a commanding record in T20Is against Bangladesh, having won 16 out of 19 matches.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20I Series Schedule: