Bangladesh A Take on Pakistan A to Kick Off Top End T20 Campaign

Bangladesh A will kick off their Top End T20 series mission tomorrow (Thursday) by taking on Pakistan A at Darwin, Australia. The tournament also featured the Nepal national team alongside four top franchises of Australia's Big Bash League (BBL). The Bangladesh side makes a return to the event after a first appearance in 2024 when they played as High Performance (HP) team which eventually became runners-up after being beaten by Big Bash team Adelaide Strikers in the  final. Speaking at a press conference ahead of leaving the country, Bangladesh A captain Nurul Hasan Sohan said, this time they are determined to clinch the title that eluded them last season.  "The goal is simple: to win the trophy," Sohan said. "It's the goal of everyone... from the players to the team management. We believe we should win the trophy."

Bangladesh, however, made a good start to the tour by winning a warm-up game  against DIXI by 37 runs. After facing off Pakistan A, the second string Bangladesh side will play against Nepal national team on August 16, Big Bash franchise Perth Scorchers on August 17, Northern Territory Strike on August 19, Melbourne Stars on August 21 and Adelaide Strikers on August 23. Both the semifinals and final will be held on August 24. Not only T20 matches, Bangladesh A will play a four-day match in Darwin from  August 28-31 against South Australia, keeping the next year's Test series in mind. The Test series will be Bangladesh's first on Australian soil in two decades. Squad: Nurul Hasan Sohan (Captain), Mohammed Saif Hasan, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Jishan Alam, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Tufayel Ahmed, Mohammad Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Rakibul Hasan, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi, Naeem Hasan, Musfik Hasan, Ripon Mondol and Hasan Mahmud.