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DHAKA: Pakistan captain Salman Agha is confident his new-look side is shaping up well toward next year’s World Cup as they take on Bangladesh in a Twenty20 series starting in Dhaka from Sunday.

Agha has been leading the short format side with star batsmen Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan out since last year.

Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has been rested for the three-match series and seam bowlers Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim are also missing because of injuries.

Agha said the missing players could still be considered for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.

“We have changed the way we want to play but we are confident of our build-up and direction,” said Agha on Saturday.

“We are going for this series with ample preparations as Bangladesh can be a challenging team in their home conditions.”

New Zealander Mike Hesson is Pakistan’s new white-ball coach. His first assignment was a 3-0 series win at home against Bangladesh 3-0 last month.

With leg-spinner Shadab Khan also injured, Pakistan have picked two uncapped fast bowlers in Salman Mirza and Ahmed Daniyal.

Bangladesh won a T20 series 2-1 in Sri Lanka last week.

“What happened in Sri Lanka is in the past,” said captain Litton Das.

“We have to face a new challenge starting tomorrow. We are ready for this challenge.

“We have the mentality to beat any team, but we have to play well on the particular day and not entirely bank on home conditions.”

Bangladesh have kept the same squad that went to Sri Lanka

The second and third matches are on Tuesday and Thursday, also in Dhaka.

KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force has won two prestigious awards at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the United Kingdom, said an official statement on Saturday, where its newly deployed JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets made their debut amid heightened interest following a recent military standoff with India.

The JF-17 Block-III was awarded the coveted “Spirit of the Meet” Trophy, a rare honor given to the aircraft that best embodies the ethos and excitement of the global event. Pakistan’s C-130H Hercules, painted in a custom livery themed “Eyes in the Skies,” also received the “Concours d’Elegance” Trophy for best-maintained and most aesthetically presented aircraft, according to Pakistan’s military.

The awards come just days after Pakistan deployed these aircraft to the RIAT, one of the world’s most prestigious military air shows, as part of a broader push to display its airpower and modernization drive.

“Winning these prestigious awards is a testament to our professionalism, technical expertise and relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, who congratulated the PAF contingent on its performance, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“Keeping the nation’s flag high has always been the hallmark of Pakistan Air Force,” he added.

The JF-17 Block-III is a 4.5-generation, multi-role fighter equipped with a long-range beyond-visual-range missile capability. Co-developed by Pakistan and China, the aircraft is central to Pakistan’s indigenous defense strategy.

It also played a vital role in the intense, four-day military standoff with India in May when Pakistan shot down advanced Indian fighter jets.

The aircraft flew from Pakistan to Royal Air Force Base Fairford in southern England earlier this week, successfully conducting air-to-air refueling mid-flight — a maneuver the military described as evidence of the PAF’s growing long-range operational capabilities.

“PAF’s outstanding performance at RIAT-2025 not only cements its standing among leading global air forces but also serves as a source of immense pride for the entire Pakistani nation,” the ISPR said.

Pakistan has previously won honors at RIAT in 2006, 2016, and 2018, reinforcing what the statement described as a consistent record of aviation excellence.