After nearly two decades of seeing no international cricket, Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad will finally host meaningful cricket games during Bangladesh’s upcoming tour of Pakistan.
According to Geo News, the Pakistan Cricket Board has shared a tentative schedule for the five T20I series, with Faisalabad cricket stadium hosting the opening two fixtures on May 25 and 27. It’s a big moment for the city and its cricket-loving fans, who haven’t seen the national team play live there in over a decade. This is also part of the PCB’s push to bring top-level cricket to more cities beyond Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
The remaining three matches of the series will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on May 30, June 1, and June 3.
The Bangladesh cricket team is expected to arrive in Pakistan on May 21, just a few days before the series begins. This will be Pakistan’s final home series before the T20 World Cup. The PCB is reportedly looking at a mix of experienced players and new talent for the series. Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, and Hasan Ali are being considered, along with young pacer Ali Raza, who could be handed a debut after impressing during PSL 2025.
Proposed Schedule of Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20I Series:
| Match | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Iqbal Cricket Stadium, Faisalabad | May 25 |
| 2nd T20I | Iqbal Cricket Stadium, Faisalabad | May 27 |
| 3rd T20I | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | May 30 |
| 4th T20I | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | June 1 |
| 5th T20I | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | June 3 |
While the series is important for both teams ahead of the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, it also holds emotional value for Faisalabad fans. Full crowds and loud atmospheres are expected as the city finally gets to host international cricket again.
This isn’t just another series for this city; it’s a homecoming for cricket in Faisalabad at their very own Iqbal Stadium.
