In a stunning shake-up, Pakistan has excluded star batter Babar Azam and explosive opener Fakhar Zaman from their ODI squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh. The decision, announced on March 4, comes in the wake of Babar’s underwhelming performance in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he managed just 91 runs across four matches. Despite a solid 2025 ODI record—544 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 77.16, including a century against Sri Lanka—this move signals a major reset for Pakistan’s white-ball setup.
Selectors appear focused on rebuilding, sidelining not only Babar and Fakhar but also young talents Saim Ayub and pace bowler Naseem Shah. The squad boasts six uncapped players, underscoring a forward-looking strategy. Shaheen Shah Afridi retains the captaincy, backed by management despite his own World Cup struggles.
Key inclusions are Sahibzada Farhan, who smashed two centuries in the recent T20 World Cup, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, making a strong comeback. The 15-member team features a mix of experience and youth: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Muhammad Ghazi Gory (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, and Shamil Hussain.
The three-match ODI series kicks off on March 11 in Dhaka, followed by games on March 13 and 15. This series marks a critical test for Pakistan’s new-look side as they aim to rediscover form on the international stage. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if this bold experimentation pays off.