Lahore
Persistent rain washed out the third T20I between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Monday, 27 January. The hosts took the series 2-0. There was no question of an inspection taking place as it continued to pelt down throughout the afternoon in Lahore. The game was called off about half an hour before the cut-off time for a five-over contest.
Pakistan, having won the first two games, took the series; it was their first since October 2018 and with it, they consolidated their top position in the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Team Rankings.
The one-off Test will be played in Rawalpindi from Friday, February 7. It will be the first five-day game between the two sides in five years, and also the first in Pakistan between them since September 2003.
Pakistan retained the No. 1 ranking in the Twenty20 format after rain washed out the third and final match of the series against Bangladesh. Rain arrived an hour before the scheduled toss at 1.30 p.m. local time (0830 GMT) before umpires called off the play at 3.55 p.m. local time.
Pakistan clinched the series 2-0 after beating Bangladesh by five wickets and nine wickets, respectively.
Bangladesh’s batsmen struggled in the absence of banned Shakib Al Hasan as well as wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, who opted out of the tour because of security concerns. READ: Cricket stars pay tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant
The top ranking – which Pakistan have held for two years – was under threat as they lost eight of their nine T20s in 2019. But recalled veteran batsmen Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez proved the difference against Bangladesh.
Malik scored an unbeaten 58 in the first match, while Hafeez was 67 not out in the second game. Bangladesh will return to Pakistan next month for two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship.
