Impact of the Upcoming ODI Series
The Pakistan national cricket team is set to play a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh from March 11 to March 15, 2026, at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. This series comes on the heels of Pakistan’s disappointing early exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, where they failed to reach the knockout stage. The stakes are high as Pakistan seeks to rebuild and regain confidence in the ODI format.
Changes in the Squad
In a significant move, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Naseem Shah have been excluded from the ODI squad following their underwhelming performance in the T20 World Cup. Babar Azam scored 544 runs in ODIs in 2025, averaging 34, and had a total of 91 runs in the T20 World Cup. Mike Hesson, the head coach, emphasized that the exclusion of these senior players is not a punishment but rather an opportunity for emerging players to showcase their skills. He stated, “I wouldn’t say anyone was dropped. We see this series as an opportunity to give some promising players a chance to prove themselves.”
Captaincy and Squad Composition
Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the Pakistan team in this series, bringing his experience and leadership to the forefront. The squad includes six uncapped players: Sahibzada Farhan, Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, and Shamyl Hussain, indicating a strategic shift towards nurturing new talent. In contrast, the Bangladesh team, which was absent from the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2007, is also focusing on rebuilding its confidence in the ODI format.
Bangladesh’s Recent Performance
Bangladesh’s squad will feature Afif Hossain, who last played in ODIs in December 2024. The team is looking to capitalize on their recent experiences in one-day cricket to challenge Pakistan effectively. Hesson acknowledged the challenge, stating, “The series will not be easy as Bangladesh have been playing a lot more one-day cricket than us.” This context adds an extra layer of competitiveness to the series.
Match Details and Expectations
The first ODI is scheduled to begin at 2:15 p.m. local time in Dhaka, which corresponds to 1:45 p.m. IST. The match will be live-streamed on FanCode in India, allowing fans to engage with the action. According to betting odds, Pakistan is favored to win the first ODI match at odds of 1.59, while Bangladesh is positioned as the underdogs at 2.32. This reflects the expectations surrounding the teams as they prepare for the series.
Looking Ahead
As the series approaches, both teams are keen to make a statement. Pakistan aims to bounce back from their T20 World Cup disappointment, while Bangladesh seeks to re-establish itself in the international arena. The dynamics of the series will be influenced by the performance of the emerging players in Pakistan’s squad and the experience of the Bangladesh team. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any last-minute changes in the squads or match conditions.
