Pakistan is gearing up for a new chapter in their one-day international cricket journey as they prepare to face Bangladesh. The three-match ODI series will commence on March 12, 2026, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Following a disappointing T20 World Cup, the team is eager to focus on fresh talent and fine-tune their strategies ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Debut Trio Against Bangladesh
In an exciting development, three new players will make their debut in the first ODI: Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat as openers, and Shamyl Hussain at first drop. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for young players. “We want to give opportunities to our youngsters, as they are our future,” he stated.
Young Stars Ready to Shine
- Sahibzada Farhan: He has been a standout in T20 cricket, finishing as the highest run-scorer in the recent T20 World Cup.
- Maaz Sadaqat: Notable for a strong performance in the President’s Cup, scoring 374 runs at a strike rate of 144.40.
- Shamyl Hussain: Another promising talent, he scored 452 runs in the domestic circuit at a strike rate of 118.32.
These selections suggest Pakistan intends to adopt a more aggressive batting approach in the 50-over format. Afridi expressed confidence in the trio’s ability to showcase their skills and contribute to the team’s long-term goals.
Strong Bowling Line-Up
The bowling lineup is set to feature Shaheen Shah Afridi alongside Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, and Faheem Ashraf. This combination aims to balance pace and spin, crucial for their strategy in upcoming matches.
Bangladesh’s Response
On the opposite side, Bangladesh is also looking to revamp their squad. They plan to strengthen their middle-order batting with the return of Litton Das and Afif Hossain, while openers Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar are expected to set a solid foundation. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz will spearhead the bowling attack with seasoned pacers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.
New Tactics for Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s coach, Phil Simmons, indicated a shift toward prioritizing pace bowlers in their lineup. “With the World Cup in South Africa, we need to adapt our strategy,” he explained. “We aim to field three quicks regularly while considering spinners depending on the conditions.”
Squads
| Pakistan | Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain) | Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain) |
| Abdul Samad | Afif Hossain |
| Abrar Ahmed | Litton Das |
| Faheem Ashraf | Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan |
| Faisal Akram | Mustafizur Rahman |
| Haris Rauf | Nahid Rana |
| Hussain Talat | Najmul Hossain Shanto |
| Maaz Sadaqat | Rishad Hossain |
| Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper) | Saif Hassan |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr | Shoriful Islam |
| Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper) | Soumya Sarkar |
| Saad Masood | Tanvir Islam |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Tanzid Hasan |
| Salman Ali Agha | Taskin Ahmed |
| Shamyl Hussain | Tawhid Hridoy |
This ODI series marks an important opportunity for both teams. They aim to build momentum and solidify their squads ahead of larger tournaments on the horizon.
