LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a significant selection call ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh tour, omitting former captain Babar Azam from the 15 member ODI squad for the three match series.

The series, set to run from March 11 to 15, will be held entirely at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Young opener Saim Ayub has also been excluded following modest performances in recent white-ball assignments. The left-hander played eight ODIs in 2025, scoring 236 runs at an average of 29.50, including two half-centuries.

Babar, meanwhile, accumulated 544 runs in 17 ODIs this year at an average of 34.00, registering one century and three fifties. Despite respectable numbers, the selectors have opted for a fresh direction ahead of the Bangladesh challenge.

Experienced opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

Left arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to captain the ODI side. The squad features six uncapped players as part of a transitional phase.

The newcomers include Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain. Notably, Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood and Shamyl Hussain recently represented Pakistan Shaheens against England Lions in Abu Dhabi.

Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), 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

• March 8 – Pakistan arrival
• March 10 – Practice session
• March 11 – First ODI, Dhaka
• March 13 – Second ODI, Dhaka
• March 15 – Third ODI, Dhaka

With bold selection decisions and a youthful core, Pakistan appear set to test their bench strength as they begin preparations for a busy international calendar ahead.