In a move that signals the beginning of a new chapter for Pakistan cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh – one that notably leaves out former captain Babar Azam.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, comes on the heels of Pakistan’s disappointing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and marks one of the most dramatic squad overhauls in recent years. What has truly caught everyone’s attention is the inclusion of six uncapped players, highlighting the selectors’ clear intent to rebuild with fresh talent.
Shaheen Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side despite Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup at the Super Eight stage. The left-arm pacer retains the captaincy as the team looks to move forward with a revamped squad. Experienced players like Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha remain part of the team, providing a sense of continuity. However, the absence of Babar Azam – arguably Pakistan’s most successful active ODI batter – has stunned fans and experts, marking the first time in his career that he has been dropped from the ODI setup.
Youth takes centre stage in Pakistan’s ODI squad for Bangladesh tour
The selectors have clearly chosen to invest in youth, handing maiden call-ups to six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain. Several of these players recently featured for Pakistan Shaheens against England Lions in Abu Dhabi, giving them valuable exposure against strong opposition.
Among the newcomers, Sahibzada Farhan stands out after a sensational T20 World Cup campaign. The explosive opener finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, piling up 383 runs in six innings at an incredible average of 76.60 and a strike rate of 160.25. He also made history by becoming the first player in the tournament to score two centuries in a single edition. Another promising name is Maaz Sadaqat, who impressed in the 2025 Rising Stars Asia Cup. The young all-rounder topped the run charts with 258 runs in five innings while maintaining a staggering strike rate of nearly 178, and he also contributed with seven wickets.
Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman misses out due to the hamstring injury he sustained during the T20 World Cup 2026, while players like Saim Ayub, Haseebullah, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah have also been left out. The pace attack will be spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, with Mohammad Wasim Jr providing additional support. In the spin department, Abrar Ahmed and Faisal Akram will be expected to add variety.
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Pakistan will travel to Dhaka on March 8 ahead of the ODI series against Bangladesh, with a practice session scheduled for March 10. All three matches will take place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on March 11, 13 and 15. The tour comes less than a year after Pakistan last visited Bangladesh, when the hosts won the T20I series in July 2025.
Pakistan’s 15-man ODI squad
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shamyl Hussain