Babar Azam Shocking Drop: Pakistan Axe Star for Bangladesh ODIs

Babar Azam Axed From Pakistan ODI Squad for Bangladesh Series

Babar Azam has been dropped from Pakistan's 15-member ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh, beginning March 11 in Dhaka. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the decision on March 4, marking one of the most dramatic selection calls in recent Pakistan cricket history. Babar Azam's omission comes after a poor T20 World Cup 2026 campaign where he managed just 91 runs across four innings at an average of 22.75, with no half-century to his name.

PCB Signals a Fresh Era for Pakistan Cricket

The decision to drop Babar Azam reflects the PCB's intent to rebuild Pakistan's white-ball setup following the team's elimination at the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. Six uncapped players have been included in the squad, signalling a bold generational shift. Alongside Babar Azam, opening batter Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and pacer Naseem Shah have also been left out of the Bangladesh tour squad.

Shaheen Afridi to Lead, Sahibzada Farhan Gets ODI Call-Up

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been retained as captain for the series, while Sahibzada Farhan earns a well-deserved maiden ODI call-up following a historic T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Farhan scored 383 runs in six innings at the tournament, the highest total ever by a batter in a single edition of the men's T20 World Cup, and became the first player to score two centuries in a single tournament. While Babar Azam departs the squad, Farhan arrives as Pakistan's next big star.

Full Pakistan Squad and Series Schedule

Pakistan squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shamyl Hussain. The first ODI takes place on March 11, followed by the second on March 13 and the third on March 15, all at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. This series represents Pakistan's first competitive step in rebuilding after the T20 World Cup 2026 exit, and the absence of Babar Azam will define just how serious the PCB is about this new direction.