First Match of Bangladesh-Pakistan T20I Series Set to Begin Amid Rain Concerns

Dhaka, July 20:

With top-ranked opponent Pakistan on one side and the challenge of bouncing back with bat and ball on the other, the upcoming T20I series is both crucial and challenging for Bangladesh. However, weather concerns are casting a shadow of uncertainty. The three-match T20I series between Bangladesh and Pakistan begins this evening, but forecasts of rain on the opening day have created fresh anxiety among cricket fans.

The first match is scheduled to be held today (Sunday) at 6 PM at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. In the previous Champions Trophy, not a single ball was bowled in the match against Pakistan due to rain. That memory raises the question—will the match once again be disrupted by untimely rainfall?

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, by 6 PM today, light to moderate rain or thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds may occur in many parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, as well as in some areas of Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Barishal divisions.

International weather site AccuWeather also indicates a likelihood of thunderstorms in Dhaka around 12 PM, 4 PM, and 5 PM. Rain could persist into the evening hours, potentially interfering with the match.

However, there is still hope. The drainage system at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium has improved significantly, meaning the field can be made playable quickly after light or moderate showers. Still, if the rain continues into the evening, disruptions to the match seem inevitable.

In May–June, Bangladesh suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the three-match T20I series on Pakistani soil. Now, playing on home turf, the Tigers have a chance to redeem themselves. Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to maintain their winning momentum. Both teams have been actively practicing at Mirpur for the past few days—now, it's just a matter of who performs on the field.

The remaining two matches of the series will also be held at the same venue—on July 22 and 24.

Tickets & Broadcast
Tickets for all matches are available online. Prices range from a minimum of BDT 300 for the Eastern Gallery to a maximum of BDT 3,500 for the International Lounge.

For those unable to attend in person, matches will be broadcast live on T Sports and Nagorik TV. Additionally, live streaming will be available on the T Sports app and the Toffee (Tapmad) app.