A back ailment has forced Bangladesh's great batsman Soumya Sarkar to miss the three-match encounter, dealing them a severe blow ahead of their T20 International series against Pakistan.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who is presently playing for Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 2025 playoffs, will take his spot in the team.Soumya had earlier missed Bangladesh's three T20I series defeats against the UAE in Sharjah, which ended in a 2-1 loss. Bayjedul Islam Khan, the team physiotherapist, estimates that Soumya will need a few weeks to recuperate from the injuries. Ahead of the well-known trip, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) acknowledged the development as a setback and verified it on Thursday.

After a thorough medical evaluation, the all-rounder's status has been updated. He has been suffering from pain on the right side of his lower back for the previous week."Following medical evaluation, it has been determined that the injury requires an extended rehabilitation period of approximately 10 to 12 days. This effectively means he will not be available for next week's three-match series in Pakistan," Bayjedul said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.It is interesting to note that Mehidy Hasan Miraz was originally left out of Bangladesh's T20I team for the UAE and Pakistan tours. But Mehidy has had a very successful 2024-25 campaign. Because of his remarkable 355 runs and 13 wickets, he was crowned the BPL's Player of the Tournament. In addition, he scored a century and claimed three five-wicket hauls against Zimbabwe, earning him the Player of the Test Series award.Mehidy is presently a member of the Lahore Qalandars team alongside his compatriots Rishad Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan. After completing his PSL obligations, he will travel to Lahore to join the Bangladeshi team. Bangladesh will play Pakistan in three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in Lahore on May 28, May 30, and June 1.Due to growing political tensions between India and Pakistan, the T20I tour was cut short from its original five-match schedule to three matches. From May 28 to June 1, every game will take place in Lahore. Fast bowler Nahid Rana, fielding coach James Pamment, and trainer Nathan Kiely have also chosen to skip the series in addition to Soumya Sarkar's absence. Mustafizur Rahman will join the team following the conclusion of his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 obligations, according to confirmation from Najmul Abedeen Fahim, Chairman of Cricket Operations for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Ahead of Lahore Qalandars' PSL 10 Eliminator matchup with Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain returned to the team.

Bangladesh's updated squad for Pakistan T20Is

Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-capt), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Shoriful Islam

Bangladesh's updated squad for Pakistan T20Is

Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-capt), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Shoriful Islam