What happened the last time Pakistan and Bangladesh played a bilateral ODI series?

The last time Pakistan and Bangladesh were supposed to play a bilateral ODI series, they could not do so. It was meant to be a solitary ODI scheduled to be played in Pakistan, which would have marked the first time Pakistan was set to host Bangladesh for an ODI series since 2008. 

Virus ruining the series

But it was the year 2020, and like many other things, a virus had brought cricket to a halt.

The one-match series was indefinitely postponed, and since then, the two teams have met only three times in multi-nation events, once each in the 2023 Asia Cup, the 2023 ODI World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy, but never bilaterally. 

Back to the days of enmity

To find the last fully completed, non-virus-affected bilateral ODI series between the sides, you have to go all the way back to 2015. Pakistan toured Bangladesh shortly after both teams crashed out of the 2015 ODI World Cup quarter-finals. For what it is worth, Pakistan’s exit was somewhat less miserable than Bangladesh’s.

Even so, the series carried an air of tension between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board after a series of off-field disagreements that had both followed and led to tour cancellations.

Played entirely in Mirpur, Bangladesh won the series 3-0.

Times of warmer ties

The upcoming series, scheduled to begin on March 11, stands in stark contrast to that previous meeting. Relations between the boards appear far warmer this time. In fact, Pakistan were the only board to publicly back Bangladesh during the recent T20 World Cup snub controversy.

There remains a hint of uncertainty given the wider geopolitical climate, but on the field, both teams appear more than ready.

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