Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen unlikely to feature in Bangladesh series: Report

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to follow its policy of infusing new blood in the national team, with media reports suggesting that Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are not expected to be a part of the T20I team for the home series against Bangladesh. According to Geo News, the experienced trio is expected to be “rested” once again for the five-match series, beginning May 27. This move aligns with the PCB’s broader long-term vision, aimed at building depth and grooming emerging players ahead of major tournaments like the T20 Asia Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026.

Although there had previously been whispers that Pakistan team director Mike Hesson was willing to bring back Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen, recent signs are that the selectors are keen to try new combinations. The 2025 season of the PSL has already produced several potential names, including batters Mohammad Naeem, Yasir Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Abdul Samad, and bowlers Ubaid Shah and Ali Raza, all of whom are thought to be in with a chance for the squad.

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Selectors Choose Aggressive, Contemporary Cricket Approach for Bangladesh Series

Babar and Rizwan have not featured in a T20I since December 2024 and seem to be on the periphery of an overhauled T20 plan, one that emphasizes explosive beginnings and aggressive strokeplay from the word go. Their exclusion highlights the selectors' emphasis on a contemporary, high-velocity form of cricket. Shaheen, in the meantime, is being handled with caution owing to workload issues. Following an arduous season in all formats, with a starring turn in Pakistan's recent series against New Zealand, the left-arm pacer is probably being saved for more high-pressure games later in the year.

Reports indicate that Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen could be among several senior players given a break, as the management tries to reshape the core for the future. The coming Bangladesh series, to be played in Faisalabad and Lahore, offers a golden chance for new players to make a claim and for the team to experiment with new tactical approaches. Although the final team is yet to be announced, it's evident that Pakistan cricket is about to embark on a transition phase one that would reshape the national T20 framework for years to come.