Babar Azam dropped as Pakistan announce 15-member squad for ODI series vs Bangladesh

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match away ODI series against Bangladesh. In the new assembled squad, their left-arm pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has been rewarded the leadership, while their wicket-keeper batter, Mohammad Rizwan, has found his place in the squad. 

However, there is no room for Babar Azam, who celebrated a fine century during the ODI series at home against Sri Lanka at the start of 2026. The team will reach Bangladesh on March 08, before they start their practice two days later.

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The three 50-over games will take place on March 11, 13, and 15 at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Their squad is a mixture of experienced players and emerging talent, as the squad includes six uncapped players- Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain.

Pakistan add six uncapped players for ODI series vs Bangladesh

The 29-year-old opener from Pakistan, Sahibzada Farhan, who experienced an excellent T20 WC with over 300 runs and has overall smashed 1305 T20I runs at a strike rate of 136.64, gets his first chance in the ODIs, on the back of his strong career in the List A cricket. In the domestic 50-over format, he has carried 2926 runs in 72 innings at a strike rate of 85.85, thanks to eight centuries and 20 half-centuries at the best score of 155 runs.

Pakistan’s middle-order batter, Abdul Samad, has been excellent in List-A cricket. In 30 innings, he has clubbed 992 runs at an average of over 35 and a strike rate of more than 80, with the help of five half-centuries and two centuries at the best score of unbeaten 130 runs.

The series will be vital for the Pakistan side in their preparation for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Pakistan’s 15-member squad for ODI series vs Bangladesh

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