LIVE: Bangladesh to bowl first, No Litton for them; Pakistan with the same XI
Bangladesh made three changes, including the absence of Litton Das due to injury, while Pakistan retained their winning lineup, led by Salman Agha.
Last Updated: 07.55 PM, Sep 25, 2025
In the crucial knock-out match between Bangladesh and Pakistan, Bangladesh captain Jaker Ali won the toss and chose to field first on a pitch offering good grass coverage with noticeable turn and swing. Commentators Waqar Younis and Simon Doull noted the pitch’s helpful conditions for both seamers and spinners due to the humidity and expected some movement later in the innings, advising caution in the powerplay overs.
Three changes for Bangladesh
Bangladesh named a slightly changed side with three players out: Saifuddin, Nasum, and Tamim, and three new inclusions: Nurul Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, and Mahedi Hasan. Their main captain, Litton Das, was not fit enough due to a side strain and has been sidelined in this important clash.
“We would like to bowl first, looks a pretty dry wicket. We have been doing well while bowling first, so we are going with that strategy. As a bowling unit we have been doing well. We have to bat really well in this match. Before the tournament, we had just decided we’d go out and play for the championship, and we’ll carry the same mindset in this match. We have three changes. Saifuddin, Nasum and Tamim are not playing. Nurul, Taskin and Mahedi are in,” Jaker Ali said during the toss.
No change for Pakistan
Pakistan retained the same lineup that saw them beat Sri Lanka impressively in their previous outing.
Salman Agha, leading the side, expressed satisfaction with the decision to bat first if given the opportunity, highlighting the importance of scoreboard pressure in defending totals above 150.
He emphasized the team’s focus on executing plans and playing quality cricket to secure a win before the final.
“We wanted to bat first, so it's okay. Looks a good pitch. Scoreboard pressure is the key. We have defended well after scoring 150-plus. Beating SL was always great. We want to play good cricket and execute our plans. It's always important playing any final. We want to focus on this game, want to win this game. We want to play good cricket. We are playing with the same side,” Salman expressed after the toss.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh: Playing XIs
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali(w/c), Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman