The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming One Day International series against Bangladesh, with senior batter Babar Azam and all-rounder Saim Ayub missing from the list. Their absence has surprised many fans, as both players have been regular members of the ODI side in recent years.
Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the team as ODI captain. This will be his second series in charge after guiding Pakistan to a home series win against South Africa. The board has included six uncapped players in the squad: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain. The selection suggests a focus on testing young talent and building bench strength ahead of future international tournaments.
The three match ODI series will take place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka from March 11 to 15. Conditions in Bangladesh are often spin friendly, which may influence team combinations and strategies.
Cricket analysts say the changes could be part of a broader plan to reshape the ODI squad and give opportunities to emerging players. While experienced names are missing, the series will provide a platform for new players to prove themselves at the international level and compete for permanent spots in the national team.
