Babar, Saim dropped as PCB names squad for Bangladesh ODI series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh, scheduled from March 11 to 15 in Dhaka.

All matches will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side. The squad features six uncapped players, Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain, signaling a focus on fresh talent.

Samad, Sadaqat, Masood and Shamyl were recently part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad that toured Abu Dhabi to face the England Lions.

Former ODI captain Babar Azam has notably been left out of the squad, a decision likely to spark debate among fans and analysts.

Pakistan last featured in an ODI series in November, when they whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0 at home. It was the second ODI assignment under Shaheen’s leadership, following a 2-1 home series win against South Africa in his first stint as captain.

The team will arrive in Dhaka on March 8 and hold a training session on March 10 ahead of the series opener.

Pakistan 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 and Shamyl Hussain
Series schedule:
8 March: Pakistan arrival in Dhaka
10 March: Practice session
11 March: First ODI – Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
13 March: Second ODI – Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
15 March: Third ODI – Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka