Pakistan’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against the Bangladesh national cricket team has triggered intense debate after selectors dropped star batter Babar Azam and young opener Saim Ayub, while handing leadership to fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The surprising overhaul comes in the wake of Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with selectors attempting to rebuild the ODI side ahead of future global events.
The 15-member squad includes six uncapped players, signaling what appears to be a transitional phase for Pakistan cricket.
Babar Azam’s exclusion raises eyebrows
Babar Azam’s omission has stunned many observers because ODI cricket has historically been his strongest format. Despite inconsistent performances in T20 internationals, Babar remains Pakistan’s most accomplished ODI batter and recently scored a century against Sri Lanka.
Critics say dropping Babar after the World Cup disappointment raises questions about whether senior players are being made scapegoats while deeper structural issues within team management and selection remain unaddressed.
Saim Ayub also left out despite strong numbers
The exclusion of Saim Ayub has also sparked debate. The young opener has been widely seen as one of Pakistan’s most promising talents and has scored three centuries and two half-centuries in just 13 ODI appearances.
Ayub also played a key role in Pakistan’s ODI series wins in Australia and South Africa in 2024. Many analysts believe he is still in a development phase and should have been backed rather than dropped during a rebuilding period.
Shaheen Afridi continues as ODI captain
Despite the sweeping changes, selectors have retained Shaheen Shah Afridi as ODI captain.
Afridi has previously enjoyed success leading Pakistan in T20 cricket, but questions remain over whether the fast bowler will be able to manage the workload of bowling a full ten-over spell in ODIs while also handling captaincy responsibilities.
Rizwan returns, Farhan gets first ODI call
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has returned to the ODI setup, adding experience to the squad.
One of the most notable inclusions is Sahibzada Farhan, who has been rewarded with his first ODI call-up after emerging as the leading run-scorer in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Farhan’s selection comes even though he has not played a domestic 50-over match since late 2024.
A controversial reset
Pakistan’s selectors appear determined to experiment with new combinations, but the decisions have already triggered debate among fans and former players.
Critics argue that dropping established performers like Babar Azam and emerging players such as Saim Ayub while bringing in multiple new faces could create instability rather than solving the team’s deeper issues.
Bangladesh ODI series schedule
Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in Dhaka:
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March 11
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March 13
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March 15
With major changes in leadership and squad composition, the series is expected to be an early test of whether Pakistan’s bold selection strategy can deliver results.
