Pakistan drop Babar Azam again in selection bombshell, Shaheen Afridi to lead team in Bangladesh ODIs

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again excluded Babar Azam from the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh.

No Babar Azam in Pakistan's ODI squad for Bangladesh series

While the PCB did not provide an official reason for the snub, it is widely believed that his underwhelming performance in the T20 World Cup played a decisive role. During that tournament, the star batsman managed only 91 runs across four innings, averaging a meager 22.75 as Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals. This dip in form extended into his 2025 ODI campaign, where he averaged just 34 with a strike rate of 77.16, figures that fall well below his career standards.

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Surprise inclusions in Pakistan's ODI fold

With the next ODI World Cup on the horizon, the selectors have pivoted toward a youth-centric strategy, naming six uncapped players to the squad: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain. This overhaul follows a string of disappointing results in ICC events, where the senior core failed to deliver. By introducing fresh talent now, the board aims to build a more resilient lineup capable of handling the pressures of major international tournaments.

Among the new faces, Maaz Sadaqat has emerged as the most anticipated prospect following a dominant showing in the 2025 Rising Stars Asia Cup. Sadaqat finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 258 runs at a staggering average of 129 and a strike rate of 177.93.

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Sahibzada Farhan has earned his place in the ODI squad following a breakout performance in the T20 World Cup. His consistent scoring and explosive form during the tournament made his transition to the longer white-ball format inevitable, as selectors looked to reward his recent international success.

The squad strikes a balance between youth and experience by retaining key veterans Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf. Notably, Shaheen Afridi has been officially appointed as the team's captain, signaling a new leadership era as Pakistan integrates its fresh talent alongside established stars.

The three-match ODI series against Bangladesh is set to kick off on March 11. In a move for geographical consistency, the entire series will be hosted at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Pakistan's ODI squad for Bangladesh series:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain.