Bangladesh allrounder Afif Hossain set to return for Pakistan ODIs

Bangladesh all-rounder Afif Hossain to make his ODI return against Pakistan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Bangladesh all-rounder Afif Hossain is set to make a return to the national setup for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan. The middle-order batter has been out of the international side since December 2024 but is now expected to be included in the 15-member squad.

According to a source close to the Bangladesh selection panel, Afif’s comeback has been finalised as the selectors wrapped up discussions on the squad for the three-match series. A Bangladesh Cricket Board official (BCB) confirmed the development while speaking about the team’s preparations ahead of the series.

Afif’s return could bolster Bangladesh’s middle order as the team looks to regain stability in the 50-over format and prepare for upcoming international assignments. After his removal from the team, he has been amassing runs in domestic cricket.

Afif Hossain caught the attention of the selectors with consistent performances in domestic competitions. In the latest season of the Bangladesh Premier League, the left-handed batter scored 205 runs from 12 innings at a strike rate of 121.

“Afif Hossain is set to return to international cricket after a lengthy absence, with the middle order batter set to be selected for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan,” the source was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

The two sides are scheduled to play three ODIs starting from March 11, with the other two matches taking place on March 13 and 15.

The matches will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, which will host all the fixtures of the ODI leg. The national side is expected to begin its preparation camp on March 6. As part of the build-up to the series, the Bangladesh team will also play a practice match against Bangladesh A on March 7.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have dropped their former captain Babar Azam from the ODI set-up following their early exit from the T20 World Cup 2026. Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the side. Bangladesh are yet to announce their squad.

Pakistan’s 15-member squad:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), 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.

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