The Pakistan Cricket Board’s latest ODI squad announcement has triggered intense discussion across the cricketing community. In a move few anticipated, former captain Babar Azam has been left out of the 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh.
Babar Azam and Saim Ayub Left Out
Alongside Babar Azam, young opener Saim Ayub has also been excluded from the squad following modest returns in recent white-ball assignments.
While Babar struggled during the recent T20 World Cup, his numbers in the 50-over format tell a slightly different story.
During Pakistan’s previous ODI series against Sri Lanka in November last year, he scored 165 runs across three matches and finally registered his long-awaited 20th ODI century.
Across 2025, Babar accumulated 544 runs in 17 ODIs at an average of 34.00, including one hundred and three half-centuries. Those figures suggest he was far from out of contention in the format.
Saim Ayub, meanwhile, featured in eight ODIs in 2025 and scored 236 runs at an average of 29.50, with two fifties to his name. Yet neither player will travel to Dhaka, and the PCB has offered no detailed explanation behind the decision.
Former Players Demand Clarity
The omission has drawn criticism from several former Pakistan cricketers, who have questioned the selectors’ thinking.
Former fast bowler Mohammad Amir openly asked whether the decision was based on form or simply a strategic rest.
“Did you drop Saim and Babar from ODI cricket because of their performances in T20 cricket, or have you rested them from this format?” Amir asked. “That is the first question that needs answering.”
He also raised a practical concern regarding the pathway back into the team.
“If they have been omitted due to a lack of form, then which ODI cricket will they play to force their way back into the team?” he added.
With the next ICC ODI World Cup scheduled in South Africa next year, Amir stressed that the selectors must clarify their long-term vision.
“Only eight months remain until the World Cup. Will the same players selected for the Bangladesh series form the core of our squad for that tournament?” he questioned.
Former opener Ahmed Shehzad also weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Babar deserved better communication from the board.
“Was Babar consulted before dropping him? If so, tell us the reason,” Shehzad said. “He is still your best batsman in ODI and red-ball cricket. If he has not done anything wrong, then he does not deserve this treatment.”
Shaheen Continues as Captain
Despite the changes within the playing group, the leadership structure remains intact. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to captain the ODI side, while the PCB has retained the broader leadership group ahead of the Bangladesh tour.
However, the squad itself reflects a significant shift in personnel. As many as six uncapped players have been included in the squad. Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain could all make their ODI debuts during the series.
In addition, several established names are missing. Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury, while Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah are also absent from the squad.
Selection Calls Raise More Questions
The squad composition has also reignited debate about Pakistan’s selection process.
One notable omission is left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem. Despite being regarded as a promising prospect, he remains outside the ODI setup. Muqeem has played only four ODIs so far but has already taken eight wickets at an average of 22.75.
His T20 record is equally encouraging, with 27 wickets in 19 matches. Yet he continues to wait for a consistent opportunity.
Meanwhile, Saad Masood has been selected as a spin option despite having played just three List A matches. The contrast between the two cases has left many observers puzzled.
The wicketkeeping backup role has also raised eyebrows. Haseebullah Khan, who was part of Pakistan’s previous ODI squad and boasts an impressive List A record, has been dropped without explanation.
Across 60 List A matches, Haseebullah has scored 2,441 runs at an average of 45.20. In contrast, newly selected Muhammad Ghazi Ghori has played only 17 List A games, scoring 206 runs at an average of 20.60.
Continuity or Confusion?
Interestingly, the PCB recently emphasised that it would maintain stability within the team’s leadership group. Yet the constant reshuffling of players appears to tell a different story.
The captaincy and coaching staff remain unchanged, but the squad itself continues to evolve from series to series. Players often feature in multiple tours before suddenly disappearing from the selection picture without a clear explanation.
For fans and analysts alike, the concern is not just about individual selections but about the absence of a transparent pathway.
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