The Pakistan cricket team has arrived in Bangladesh for the three-match ODI series scheduled for March 11, 13, and 15. Several senior players, including Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, are absent from the 15-member squad, while six uncapped players have been called up for the first time.
On Monday, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson was asked about Babar’s absence, who had scored just one century in his last three ODI outings. “I don’t think anyone particularly was dropped,” Hesson clarified.
Instead, Hesson emphasized that the series presents a valuable opportunity to test younger talent. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to look at some younger players. We get very few chances in the calendar to give promising players opportunities,” he said.
Coming fresh from the T20 World Cup, where he was the tournament’s top scorer, Sahibzada Farhan is among the uncapped players yet to make his ODI debut. Alongside him, Shamyl Hossain, who has excelled in domestic cricket, could also make his ODI debut in Dhaka.
“There are a lot of players who have been around the circuit and waiting for this opportunity. Someone like Sahibzada Farhan has forced his case through his outstanding T20 World Cup performance, and he’s also performed well in domestic 50-over cricket,” Hesson said.
Praising left hand batter Shamyl, Hesson added, “Shamyl is an exciting talent. His List A record has been exceptional, and he’s done well for the Shaheens too.”
