A new chapter dawns for Pakistan cricket with Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman sensationally left out of the ODI squad facing Bangladesh. Post T20 World Cup 2026 scrutiny—Babar’s 91 runs in four matches drew sharp rebukes—the team sheet dropped March 4 emphasizes reinvention. Babar’s 2025 ODI exploits (544 runs @77.16 SR, Sri Lanka hundred) couldn’t save him, nor could Saim Ayub or Naseem Shah join the fray.
Six uncapped players signal long-term vision in the 15-strong group captained by Shaheen Afridi, who gets another shot post-World Cup. Rizwan’s return adds stability, paired with Farhan’s T20 fireworks. Squad details: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Muhammad Ghazi Gory (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shamil Hussain.
The action unfolds in Dhaka starting March 11, with ODIs on March 13 and 15. This series tests Pakistan’s youth infusion against Bangladesh, potentially heralding a transformed white-ball powerhouse.