Pakistan drop big name from ODI squad for Bangladesh tour
Former Pakistan captain has been left out of the squad that will tour Bangladesh for three ODIs in the build-up to next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, set to be played in Dhaka from 11 to 15 March.
Top-order batter Babar Azam has been left out of the squad. The 31-year-old had a below-par ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where he managed just 91 runs from four outings with the bat.
Beyond his difficulties in T20Is, the former Pakistan skipper also saw his ODI form dip in 2025, managing 544 runs across 17 innings at an average of 34.
Pakistan squad: 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
Babar Azam in action at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. // Getty Images
Left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue as captain, leading a group that features six uncapped players.
Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain have all earned maiden call-ups to the ODI setup.
Farhan's call-up comes on the back of a historic T20 World Cup campaign, where he smashed 383 runs, the highest in a single campaign in the men's event.
Farhan shines with a golden ton | POTM Highlights | T20WC 2026
Sahibzada Farhan was the hero for Pakistan again as his 100 off 60 helped them overcome Sri Lanka at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
Four of the uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood and Shamyl Hussain – were recently part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad that faced England Lions in Abu Dhabi, with a series of good showings earning their place in the squad.
The squad also includes experienced campaigners such as wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, pacers Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jnr, all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Salman Ali Agha and wrist-spinner Abrar Ahmed.
ODI Series Schedule
11 March - First ODI, Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
13 March - Second ODI, Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
15 March - Third ODI, Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
