Pakistan have omitted former captain Babar Azam from the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, starting March 11, following a disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign that ended at the Super 8 stage.
Babar featured in 17 ODIs in 2025, scoring 544 runs at a strike rate of 77.16. Although he registered a century in the previous ODI series against Sri Lanka, selectors opted to move in a new direction, citing concerns over recent form. The 31-year-old endured a modest T20 World Cup, managing just 91 runs in four innings.
His omission follows mounting criticism from former cricketers after Pakistan’s early World Cup exit, with some suggesting he take a long-term break from white-ball cricket.
The shake-up extends beyond Babar. Opener Fakhar Zaman, who scored a half-century in the last ODI and had a steady World Cup campaign, has also been left out, a clear signal of transition in Pakistan’s limited-overs setup.
Young batter Saim Ayub and pacer Naseem Shah are among other notable absentees. Saim struggled for consistency and was dropped during the World Cup, while Naseem misses out amid a broader squad reshuffle.
In contrast, Sahibzada Farhan has earned a recall after an impressive T20 World Cup campaign, where he struck two centuries and set a record for the most runs in a single edition for Pakistan.
Despite scrutiny, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to captain the side for the Bangladesh series, with team management backing him to lead the transition phase. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who was not part of the World Cup squad, also returns.
Pakistan have named six uncapped players in the 15-member squad, underlining a clear emphasis on building bench strength and long-term depth.
Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh ODIs
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.