Northern Territory Cricket is excited to announce Asian cricket powerhouses Pakistan and Bangladesh will return to Darwin for the 2025 Top End T20 Series.
The Pakistan Shaheens (‘A’ side) return for their third successive year having played in 2023 and 2024, while Bangladesh ‘A’ will seek to go one better this time round having lost the 2024 Top End T20 Final to the Adelaide Strikers Academy.
The two sub-continent sides will face off in the series opening fixture on Thursday 14 August at TIO Stadium (7pm), with the stand-alone marque match-up scheduled as part of local ‘Pakistan Independence Day’ celebrations.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) join the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), meaning Northern Territory Cricket now has two ICC Full-Members and one ICC Associate Member participating in this rapidly growing event.
Fans can again expect to be given a glimpse of both countries’ future superstars, with both the PCB and BCB using the Top End T20 Series to give their next generation of internationals invaluable experience against Australian talent in foreign conditions.
In 2024 the Bangladesh Squad included 22-year-old T20I internationals Ripon Mondol and Rakibul Hasan, as well as 23-year-old wicketkeeper batsmen Parvez Hossain Emon who recently smashed a 53-ball hundred in a T20I against the UAE.
Pakistan have blooded future internationals in the Top End T20 Series, with Usman Khan (19 T20Is), Irfan Khan (14 T20Is), Jahandad Khan (8 T20Is), Arafat Minhas (4 T20Is) and Rohail Nazir (3 T20Is) all going on to be capped at senior international level.
NT Cricket CEO, Gavin Dovey:
“We are once again delighted to welcome our good friends the PCB and BCB to Darwin where it is an honour and privilege to host two genuine giants of the game.
“The Top End T20 Series was created as a vehicle to market and promote the Northern Territory as a destination to visit, live, work or study, and I don’t think there is a sport in the Territory that can connect with a bigger audience.
“Pakistan (255 million) and Bangladesh (170 million) are two of the top ten most populous countries in the world, and with the addition of Nepal (30 million), the Top End T20 Series offers a serious platform in which to showcase this incredible part of the country.”
BCB Chief Executive Officer, Nizam Uddin Chowdhury:
“We’re pleased to be returning to Darwin for the 2025 Top End T20 Series, which has quickly become an important fixture in our calendar. Playing in Australian conditions against quality opposition offers valuable experience for our emerging players and supports our broader development objectives.
“Our continued partnership with Northern Territory Cricket reflects a shared commitment to building strong international ties through the game. We’re particularly looking forward to the opening night clash on August 14 and the opportunity to showcase the talent coming through Bangladesh cricket.”
Sumair Ahmed Syed, PCB Chief Operating Officer:
“We are pleased to confirm Pakistan Shaheens’ participation in the Top End T20 Series for the third consecutive year. This tournament continues to serve as a platform for our emerging cricketers to gain valuable exposure and experience in competitive conditions.
“We are grateful to Northern Territory Cricket for their continued collaboration and for providing a professional and high-quality tournament that contributes significantly to the growth of our emerging talent.”
A full 2025 Top End T20 Series Schedule and all 11 teams participating will continue to be announced over the coming weeks.
2025 Top End T20 Series Teams (Announced)
Nepal National Team
Pakistan Shaheens (‘A’)
Bangladesh ‘A’