Big names miss out as Pakistan reveal squad for Bangladesh

A host of big names remain on the outer as Pakistan revealed their squad for their upcoming three-match T20I series at home against Bangladesh.

Former skipper Babar Azam, veteran keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi are notable absentees from the 16-player group that will take on Bangladesh in three matches in Lahore.

Batter Salman Ali Agha will continue as skipper with all-rounder Shadab Khan his deputy, while experienced white-ball performers Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are also included.

But there is no room for Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen, with Pakistan declaring the selection of the squad was based upon performances during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.

The hosts are also boosted by the return of swashbuckling batter Saim Ayub to the lineup, after his bout with injury.

Ayub had been ruled out midway through Pakistan's tour of South Africa earlier this year after he fractured his ankle while fielding in the second Test in February.

The left-handed batter had marked his comeback to competitive cricket in the ongoing PSL season.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old batter Sahibzada Farhan has been rewarded for his performances at the PSL by winning a recall back into the T20I setup for the first time since 2018.

Farhan has notched 394 runs from his 10 outings so far in the PSL at a strike rate of 154.50, and leads the run-scoring charts at the event.

The series against Bangladesh will be the first in charge for new Pakistan coach Mike Hesson, with the schedule for the series to be announced in the coming days.

Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub