Pakistan Announces ODI Squad for Bangladesh Series in Dhaka

The Pakistan Cricket Board has unveiled a 15-member One Day International (ODI) squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh national cricket team. The matches will be played in Dhaka from March 11 to 15.

All three fixtures are scheduled at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The Pakistan team will arrive in Bangladesh on March 8, with a full practice session planned for March 10 ahead of the opening match.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed ODI captain for the tour. His leadership marks a new phase for Pakistan’s limited-overs setup as the team looks to rebuild following recent setbacks on the international stage.

The squad features six uncapped players who are yet to make their ODI debut: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain. Their inclusion signals a clear intent to test emerging talent and expand the national talent pool.

Four of these newcomers—Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood, and Shamyl Hussain—were recently part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad that competed against the England Lions in Abu Dhabi. Their performances at the developmental level appear to have earned them national selection.

The full squad for the Bangladesh series includes Shaheen Afridi (captain), Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Hussain Talat, Abdul Samad, Faisal Akram, Maaz Sadaqat, Sahibzada Farhan, Saad Masood, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), and Shamyl Hussain.

Notably absent from the lineup are several established names, including Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Nawaz, and Saim Ayub. The omissions come after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 T20 World Cup held in Sri Lanka and India.

Cricket analysts view this squad announcement as part of a broader transition strategy. By blending experienced campaigners with fresh faces, Pakistan aims to recalibrate its ODI unit and build depth ahead of future international tournaments.

The Dhaka series will provide a crucial opportunity for emerging players to stake their claim in the national setup while allowing the leadership group to experiment with combinations in competitive conditions.