DHAKA, March 15,  (V7N) – Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and opted to bowl first against Bangladesh in the third and final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today, setting up a series decider with both sides locked at 1-1.  

Bangladesh, unchanged from the second ODI, are confident about batting first. Skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz said the wicket looked good and targeted a score around 260 runs, backed by a strong bowling attack of three pacers and two spinners. “We should have partnerships with the top order. If we get the runs, definitely our team will be better,” he told broadcasters.  

Pakistan made three changes, including two debutants – Ghazi Ghori and Saad Masood – as injuries forced adjustments. Afridi explained the decision: “Two players were injured… Wasim Jr is resting. So that’s why we decided to bowl first. Hopefully we take wickets and restrict them.”  

Line-ups

Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana.  

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Abdul Samad, Faheem Ashraf, Saad Masood, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.  

Series so far

- 1st ODI: Bangladesh crushed Pakistan by 8 wickets.  

- 2nd ODI: Pakistan bounced back with a 128-run win (DLS method) in a rain-hit match.  

With the series tied, today’s clash will decide the winner. Bangladesh are banking on batting partnerships and spin support, while Pakistan look to their pace attack and debutants to deliver under pressure.  

END/WSP/RH/