Pakistan Announces 15-Man Squad for Bangladesh ODI Series; Babar Azam Dropped
Agency
March 04, 2026
Islamabad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, starting this Wednesday. The biggest shock in this selection is the exclusion of experienced batter Babar Azam and all-rounder Saim Ayub, who have not been included in the squad.
Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain the team, and six new faces have been given opportunities in the squad. Pakistan has prepared a blend of young and experienced players for this series, which will be held from March 11 to 15 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
The new players included in the squad are Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain. Among these, Samad, Sadaqat, Masood, and Hussain recently performed excellently for Pakistan Shaheens in the series against England Lions in Abu Dhabi.
The PCB appears to be preparing for the future by giving spots in the national team to youngsters who perform well domestically and in the A team. Experienced players like Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf will support the youngsters as the backbone of the team.
Pakistan last played an ODI series against Sri Lanka in November, where they secured a 3-0 clean sweep. This is Shaheen Shah Afridi's third major opportunity as captain. Previously, under his leadership, Pakistan won the series against South Africa 2-1. Now, in this clash on Bangladesh's home ground, Pakistan will look to maintain its winning momentum. The presence of players like Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. further strengthens the bowling department.
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