Series Decider Tonight: Bangladesh Face UAE in Crucial T20 Clash

Bangladesh are set to face the United Arab Emirates tonight in the series-deciding third T20I in Sharjah. After a shocking defeat in the second match, the series stands level at 1-1. The game, scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM Bangladesh time, is a crucial test for captain Litton Das and his team, as losing this series would be a major embarrassment for Bangladesh cricket.

Initially planned as a two-match T20I series, the boards of both nations later agreed to add a third match to break the deadlock. However, Litton Das’s luck at the toss continues to falter, as UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem won the toss and chose to bowl first, putting Bangladesh into bat.

In a notable change, Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored a century in the first match but was left out of the second, has been brought back into the playing XI. Also returning are vice-captain Sheikh Mehdi and pacer Hasan Mahmud. Dropped from the side are Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanvir Islam, and Nahid Rana.

UAE’s win in the second T20I marked their first-ever victory against Bangladesh in any format of international cricket. As a result, this final T20I has effectively become an unofficial final, with both teams vying for the series win.

United Arab Emirates (Playing XI): Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem(c), Rahul Chopra(w), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Saghir Khan, Ethan DSouza, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Matiullah Khan, Akif Raja

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das(c), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali(w), Mahedi Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud