The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has said that their forthcoming trip to Pakistan will be different. Under the Future Tours Program (FTP), Bangladesh was originally supposed to play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in May. But now, both boards have decided to substitute extra T20Is for the ODI fixtures, creating a five-match T20I series instead.
Fans following the updates closely, especially through platforms like the Bpexch App, are excited to see how this new series format unfolds. Both teams want to perfect their teams ahead of two big events: the 2025 Asia Cup, which India will host, and the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host.
Why did ODIs give way to T20Is?
A BCB official verified to Bpexch App that the modification was done to fit their plans for preparing for the forthcoming world events. “We are planning to start our preparation for the next T20 World Cup as well as the Asia Cup through that series, thus we have decided to play T20Is instead of ODIs in the upcoming trip of Pakistan.” the official said.
Scheduled for September, the Asia Cup 2025 will also be conducted in T20 form. Hence, teams must adjust to the shortest format well in advance. Just one year later, the T20 World Cup presents Bangladesh and Pakistan with a chance to test fresh players, play with their line-ups, and hone their tactics.
Extra T20I Series confirmed for July.
Not part of the initial FTP, Pakistan will also tour Bangladesh in July for a three-match T20I series in another development. At the most recent ICC Champions Trophy, the two boards worked through the final details of this series.
Just before Pakistan sets out on its trip to the West Indies, the matches are scheduled to take place in Dhaka on July 20, 22, and 24. This extra series gives both sides more T20 game time so they may evaluate player form and combinations before the main events.
Strategic Action for World Cup Get-Ready
The change from ODIs to T20Is underlines the increasing focus on the shortest format, particularly in view of two big T20 competitions. This is the reason this choice makes sense:
- Asia Cup 2025 T20 Style: Teams must get as much match experience in T20 style as possible since the Asia Cup will be hosted in this format.
- T20 World Cup 2026 Approach: Both Bangladesh and Pakistan aspire to assemble strong, well-balanced teams given the mega-event planned in India and Sri Lanka. Reducing ODI counts lets players concentrate on T20 talents, thereby guaranteeing they are in the best form for the events that count most.
What does this imply for supporters?
With five in Pakistan and three in Bangladesh, cricket enthusiasts should be looking forward to an interesting eight T20Is between Bangladesh and Pakistan in the next months. These games offer high-intensity action; both sides probably have aggressive line-ups to try their strengths and shortcomings.
Bangladesh has this chance to raise their T20 record against a formidable Pakistani side. Pakistan will strive to be the most powerful T20 squad in the world by dominating both at home and away, thus confirming its reputation.
Last Words
The choice to give T20 top priority over ODIs illustrates the changing character of international cricket, in which teams are progressively customizing their plans depending on forthcoming events. Bangladesh and Pakistan are being proactive in guaranteeing that they will enter the Asia Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026 with the best possible readiness.
As both sides get ready for the difficulties ahead, fans should expect exciting contests, fresh talent on exhibit, and strategic experimentation. For cricket fans all around, the forthcoming T20I series will be a spectacle as much as a preparation tool.
