Pakistan Overhaul ODI Team for Bangladesh Tour Following Disappointing World Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squad for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh, making several major changes following the team’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup. The squad was officially revealed on Wednesday. Former captain Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, both of whom struggled during the World Cup, have been left out of the team. The decision reflects the board’s response to the team’s underwhelming campaign in the tournament. Saim Ayub had previously delivered strong performances in the ODI format. In 13 matches, he scored three centuries and two half-centuries and played a key role in Pakistan’s ODI series victories in Australia and South Africa in 2024. Although he failed to impress during the World Cup, his spin bowling had provided important breakthroughs for the team. Babar Azam has also enjoyed a successful ODI career, scoring 20 centuries and 37 half-centuries. He has accumulated 6,501 runs in 140 matches. However, his performance in the format has declined since 2025. Fast bowler Naseem Shah and left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz have also been omitted from the ODI squad. The newly announced squad includes six uncapped players, along with Sahibzada Farhan, who was the highest run-scorer in the World Cup. Farhan has not played a domestic List A match since October 2024 and is yet to make his ODI debut for Pakistan. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the team as captain. He was appointed captain last year after Mohammad Rizwan. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rizwan, who was excluded from the World Cup squad, has retained his place in the ODI team. T20 captain Salman Ali Agha, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed have also been included in the squad. Pakistan and Bangladesh will play a three-match ODI series starting on March 11. The remaining matches will take place on March 13 and March 15, with all games scheduled to be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Pakistan ODI Squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faizal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Ghazi Ghori (Wicketkeeper), Saad Masood, Salman Ali Hussain, Shaheem Hussain, Shahim Aghazada.