The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh. The matches are set to take place from March 11 to March 15, with all fixtures scheduled at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, marking a crucial tour for Pakistan as they look to strengthen their limited-overs side.
In a notable development, the squad does not include Pakistan’s regular captain and star batsman Babar Azam, signaling a strategic shift by the selectors. Instead, the responsibility of leading the team has been entrusted once again to the left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who will captain the side throughout the series. Afridi’s leadership has been praised for injecting energy and aggression into the team, and the PCB appears confident in his ability to guide a relatively young squad on foreign soil.
The selection panel has also introduced six uncapped players to the squad, reflecting a clear focus on nurturing fresh talent and expanding the pool of players with international experience. These newcomers include Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain. It is worth noting that four of these players—Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood, and Shamyl Hussain—recently featured in the Pakistan Shaheens team that competed against the England Lions in Abu Dhabi, providing them with valuable exposure against quality opposition.
The full squad comprises a blend of youth and experience, with seasoned players like Mohammad Rizwan, who will don the wicketkeeping gloves, and Haris Rauf, known for his pace and wicket-taking ability. Other notable names include Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Salman Ali Agha, and Sahibzada Farhan. This combination aims to balance the team’s batting depth and bowling options as they prepare to face a competitive Bangladeshi side on their home turf.
Pakistan’s itinerary for the tour begins with the team’s arrival in Dhaka on March 8, followed by a practice session scheduled for March 10 to help players acclimatize to the local conditions. The three ODIs will then be played on March 11, 13, and 15, all at the iconic Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, which has been the venue for many high-profile international matches. This series is expected to be a vital opportunity for Pakistan to test their bench strength and build momentum ahead of future international commitments.
As the cricketing world watches closely, the absence of Babar Azam from the squad has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike, with many curious about the reasons behind this decision and its potential impact on Pakistan’s performance. Meanwhile, the inclusion of several promising newcomers highlights the PCB’s commitment to investing in the next generation of cricketers, aiming to ensure sustained success for Pakistan on the global stage.
