Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi has confirmed that three players will make their ODI debuts when Pakistan face Bangladesh in the opening match of the series in Dhaka.
The first match of the three-match ODI series will be played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, with Pakistan naming several new and uncapped players in the squad.
The selection committee left out senior players including Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, creating space in the squad for younger cricketers and giving emerging talent a chance.
The visiting squad features six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain, all hoping to secure opportunities.
Speaking at a press conference, the 50-over captain said that Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat and Shamyl Hussain will make their international ODI debuts in the match.
Farhan and Sadaqat are expected to open the innings, while Hussain is set to bat at number three in Pakistan’s batting line-up.
Afridi said both Farhan and Sadaqat had previously played in Bangladesh, adding that their experience in local conditions could help them approach the contest with confidence.
The captain also said Pakistan would finalise their bowling combination after another practice session, noting that the final playing XI would depend on team requirements and pitch conditions.
Earlier, the trophy for the ODI series between Pakistan and Bangladesh was unveiled in Dhaka, where captains Shaheen Afridi and Mehidy Hasan Miraz jointly revealed it.
During the ceremony, officials also confirmed the match management team, announcing Naeem-ul-Rasheed as match referee for the series along with several experienced international umpires.
Kumar Dharmasena, Adrian Holdstock, Ghazi Sohail, Tanvir Ahmed and Masood Al-Rahman were named as on-field umpires responsible for supervising matches throughout the three-game ODI series.
Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | March 11 | Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium | Dhaka |
| 2nd ODI | March 13 | Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium | Dhaka |
| 3rd ODI | March 15 | Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium | Dhaka |
