First contingent of Pakistan cricket team arrives in Dhaka

The first contingent of the Pakistan cricket team has arrived in Dhaka to play the T20 series after almost four years outside the ICC Future Tour Schedule (FTP), while Bangladesh prepare to take on Sri Lanka in the series decider in Colombo.

The remaining Pakistan players are scheduled to arrive on the afternoon flight to take part in the series that is meant to improve relations between the cricket boards of the two countries.

Captain Salman Agha, Fakhar Zaman, along with seven cricketers and team management members, came in the first fleet.

The three-match series will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Jul 20, 22 and 24, and all the matches will start from 6pm.

The Sri Lanka series decider will kick off at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo at 7:30pm Bangladesh time.

The players will return to the country on Thursday.

Pakistan are set for an optional practice session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday, as they plan to start preparing for the series in full swing from Friday.

Salman, Fakhar, and Saim Ayub have also completed their training camp in their own country. Pakistan's cricketers have divided themselves into two warm-up matches in a seven-day camp in Karachi.

Pakistan last played in Bangladesh in 2021. They whitewashed the hosts in a three-match T20 and two-match Test series. Pakistan also defeated Bangladesh in three T20Is at home in May-June.