Their batting came together in the last two games in Sri Lanka, when captain Litton Das, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy and Tanzid Hasan got important runs. For Litton, especially, it was a welcome return to form after a prolonged slump. Tanzid came into his own in the third T20I with a sparkling 73 not out. Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan got among the wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman stepped up as the senior fast bowler.

Bangladesh, though, are still some way from finding consistency, and it won’t be easy on the slow and low pitches in Mirpur. The aggressive Parvez Hossain Emon, for instance, could be the one having to make the biggest adjustment. The fast bowlers Tanzim Hasan and Shoriful Islam also have to bring back their A games after a bit of an up-and-down time in the last few months.

Pakistan, meanwhile, would want to continue with the same approach that worked for them in Lahore. Their batters wasted little time in attacking the Bangladesh bowlers, while their bowlers and fielders gave an improved showing in the three-match series.

Head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Agha are trying to get the team to follow the T20I trend of trying to get as many runs as possible in the first six overs, and Pakistan have batters suited for this approach. The likes of Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris and Salman himself are known for their aggressive style, while Fakhar Zaman will be expected to blaze his way through the bowling. Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz will also be expected to go big in both ends of the innings.

Shadab Khan’s absence could hurt their balance, and Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf will have to step up as the allrounders.

Five of Pakistan’s squad in Bangladesh also have recent local knowledge, having played in the BPL in the last couple of seasons. Khushdil has played 12 matches in Mirpur, the most among the Pakistan players, while Mohammad Haris, Faheem, Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi have also played in the competition.

Pakistan are starting this series as the favourites, but Bangladesh usually thrive when they have a few wins under their belt, so this is unlikely to be a cakewalk for the visitors.

Tanzid Hasan is like a breath of fresh air in the Bangladesh top order. He struck six sixes in his unbeaten 73 in the last game against Sri Lanka, and that led the team’s 133-run chase. Each time Tanzid lofted the bowlers down the ground, there was little doubt that it would go for six. His loft over the covers was a standout shot, after which he switched to hitting down the ground. In that game, Tanzid also became the fastest to five T20I half-centuries for Bangladesh, in just 27 matches.

Mohamed Haris became the first Pakistani non-opener to hit a T20I century, in the last match between these two teams on June 1. It was a breathtaking effort from the Pakistan No. 3, who had been threatening a big one in the two previous innings as well. Haris was aggressive like the rest of the Pakistan line-up but he maintained the approach with proper shots, which stood out. Haris will be confident of doing well in Dhaka, where he has intimate knowledge of the pitches through his recent BPL stints.

Bangladesh are likely to field the same XI that beat Sri Lanka earlier this week.

Bangladesh (probable XI):  Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan,  Litton Das (capt, wk),  Towhid Hridoy,  Shamim Hossain,  Jaker Ali,  Mahedi Hasan,  Rishad Hossain,  Tanzim Hasan,  Shoriful Islam,  Mustafizur Rahman

Pakistan could pick Hussain Talat and the uncapped Salman Miraz in place of Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, who aren’t available.

Pakistan (probable XI):  Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub,  Mohammad Haris (wk),  Hasan Nawaz,  Salman Agha (capt),  Khushdil Shah,  Hussain Talat,  Faheem Ashraf,  Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza,  Abrar Ahmed

[Cricinfo]