Shaheen Shah Afridi to lead new-look Pakistan in Bangladesh ODIs, Babar Azam dropped

The Pakistan Cricket board has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI series in Bangladesh, from set to run from March 11 to 15.

Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the team, with the selectors looking to incorporate fresh blood after the poor showing at the T20I World Cup 2026.

As many as six uncapped players have been named in the squad: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood, and Shamyl Hussain, who featured recently for the Pakistan Shaheens in their series against England Lions in the UAE, wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, and Sahibzada Farhan, who recently broke records in the T20I World Cup, with 383 runs scored in six innings, averaging 76.60 and striking at a blistering 160.25. He also recorded two half-centuries and as many centuries.

No place for Babar Azam, Saim Ayub

The most notable omission is that of batter Babar Azam. Babar has featured in 17 ODIs in 2025, scoring 544 runs at a strike rate of 77.16. Despite scoring a century in their last ODI series against Sri Lanka, Babar’s recent form means he does not find a place in the squad.

Additionally, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman have also not made the cut. The announcement follows the appointment of former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the head coach of the Test team, following the ever-consistent theme of a shake-up after a major ICC tournament.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh ODIs

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

Pakistan vs Bangladesh 2026 ODI Series Schedule

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