Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the T20 World Cup has triggered strong reactions from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and those frustrations appear to have extended into selections for the upcoming ODI tour of Bangladesh.
After an underwhelming tournament performance that reportedly led the board to impose individual fines of PKR 5 million on members of the squad, the selection committee has left several players out of the team for the Bangladesh series. The decision has raised questions, particularly because the tour consists of three ODIs that serve as preparation for next year’s ODI World Cup.
The newly announced squad has drawn attention not only for the players omitted but also for the choices made among those called up, as well as the overall balance of the side.
T20 Disappointment Leads to ODI Exclusions
The emotional response to Pakistan’s T20 World Cup performance appears to have heavily influenced the selections. One notable omission is Saim Ayub, who struggled during the T20 tournament and will not travel to Bangladesh.
Viewed solely through the lens of ODI cricket, the statistical case for dropping Ayub appears less convincing. In just 17 matches in the format, he has already played significant roles in Pakistan’s series victories over Australia and South Africa away from home. Across his last 13 innings, Ayub has registered three centuries and two half-centuries. His improving finger spin also adds balance to the side, particularly in spin-friendly conditions like those expected in Dhaka. His batting average in the format is just under 47, higher than any player currently included in the squad.
More Read
Another high-profile omission is Babar Azam, whose ODI average is even stronger. It is difficult to imagine a scenario in which Babar would not feature in Pakistan’s ODI squad for the next World Cup, suggesting his absence from the Bangladesh tour reflects dissatisfaction with his T20 World Cup performance rather than long-term planning.
ODI cricket has traditionally been Babar’s most productive format, and he has often used it to regain confidence when his form in T20Is or Tests has dipped. Although he endured a modest 2025, he recently scored an international century in a successful ODI chase against Sri Lanka. That innings will not be built upon in Bangladesh following his exclusion from the squad.
Domestic Performers Get Opportunities
With Ayub and Babar unavailable, the PCB has turned to domestic cricket for replacements. Introducing younger players in a relatively low-profile bilateral series can be a sensible approach, offering emerging talent exposure to international cricket.
However, concerns remain about whether some selections are based on performances in the 50-over format. Several of the players called up have built their reputations largely through T20 cricket rather than List A matches, raising questions about the alignment between format and selection.
One example is Sahibzada Farhan, who has been included in the squad following impressive performances in T20 cricket. While his current form may benefit him, Farhan has not played a 50-over match since 2024, leaving little recent ODI evidence to support his selection.
Other call-ups also highlight this trend. Ghazi Ghouri, recently signed by Islamabad United as a prospect in the Pakistan Super League, has played 17 List A matches, averaging just over 20 with a strike rate below 80. Another inclusion, leg-spin all-rounder Saad Masood, has appeared in only three List A games, scoring 57 runs and averaging 113 with the ball. His T20 performances are stronger, but the Bangladesh tour is an ODI series.
Both Ghouri and Masood are young — 22 and 21 respectively — and may develop into genuine ODI prospects in the future. Ideally, however, those credentials would be built through domestic 50-over cricket before international selection.
Lack of Left-Arm Finger Spin
Mohammad Nawaz is another player missing from the squad after the T20 World Cup. Beyond the individual omission, his absence leaves Pakistan without a specific type of bowler well suited to Bangladeshi conditions.
The squad heading to Bangladesh does not include a single specialist left-arm finger spinner. Instead, Pakistan have opted for wrist-spin options such as Abrar Ahmed, along with younger leg-spinners Faisal Akram and Saad Masood.
The only available left-arm orthodox option is batting all-rounder Maaz Sadazqat, for whom bowling remains a secondary skill.
Given Bangladesh’s traditionally spin-friendly surfaces, the absence of a specialist left-arm finger spinner could leave a noticeable gap in Pakistan’s bowling attack — one the hosts may look to exploit during the ODI series.
