Babar Azam Not Dropped from Pakistan ODI Squad, Coach Clarifies

Mar 9, 2026

52 min

Mar 9, 2026 17:31

Babar Azam wasn’t ‘dropped’ from Pakistan squad

## Squad Changes for Bangladesh Series

Pakistan's head coach, Mike Hesson, has clarified that Babar Azam was not dropped from the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh. The decision to exclude him and other senior players was made to provide opportunities for emerging talent.

## New Faces in the Team

The squad for the series includes six uncapped players: Sahibzada Farhan, Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, and Shamyl Hussain. Hesson emphasized the importance of giving younger players a chance, noting the limited opportunities in the international calendar to test new talent.

## Focus on Emerging Talent

Hesson highlighted the performances of newcomers like Sahibzada Farhan, who impressed during the T20 World Cup 2026. He also praised Shamyl Hussain, the highest run-scorer in first-class cricket, and Maaz Sadaqat, who has been on the fringes for some time.

## Context of the Changes

The squad reshuffle follows Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign, where they failed to reach the semi-finals. Despite competitive performances, the team struggled against stronger opponents, impacting their qualification.

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