The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, with star batter Babar Azam and all-rounder Saim Ayub surprisingly omitted.
All three matches will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 11 to 15 March.
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue as captain, guiding a side that features six uncapped talents: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain.
Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood, and Shamyl Hussain recently represented the Pakistan Shaheens against the England Lions in Abu Dhabi, giving them valuable experience ahead of this ODI series.
Babar Azam and Saim Ayub’s exclusion marks a significant shake-up, considering Babar’s experience and status as a former ODI captain. Pakistan last played an ODI series in November 2025, hosting Sri Lanka and completing a 3-0 clean sweep.
This series will be Shaheen Shah Afridi’s second stint as ODI captain, following his debut leadership role in the home series against South Africa, which Pakistan won 2-1.
Pakistan 15-member squad
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), 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, Shamyl Hussain
Series schedule
11 March – First ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
13 March – Second ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
15 March – Third ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
