Pakistan Captain Shaheen Afridi Confirms Three ODI Debutants for Bangladesh Series Opener
In a significant announcement ahead of the three-match ODI series, Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi has confirmed that three players will make their 50-over international debuts when the team faces Bangladesh in the opening match. The series kicks off at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with the match scheduled to start at 1:45 pm IST.
Meet the Debutants: Fresh Faces in Pakistan's ODI Squad
The debutants include Sahibzada Farhan, who showcased exceptional form in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026, amassing a record-breaking 383 runs in just seven matches. Joining him are Maaz Sadaqat, set to open the innings, and Shamyl Hussain, who will bat at the crucial number three position. All three players are stepping into their first ODI appearances for Pakistan, bringing a mix of youth and recent domestic success to the international stage.
During the pre-match press conference, as quoted by The Daily Star, Afridi expressed confidence in the newcomers. "There will be like three debuts, of course. Sahibzada is the top performer in T20s and also in List 'A' cricket for Pakistan. Maaz Sadaqat will open, and Shamyl Hussain will play at one down. These three will make their debut. Hopefully, they will play their own game and show their skills," he stated.
Strategic Squad Changes and Team Form
Pakistan has implemented notable changes to their squad for this series, dropping experienced players Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Saim Ayub. This move signals a shift towards building a team with an eye on the future, particularly with the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa on the horizon.
Afridi highlighted the importance of this transition, noting, "We are excited to see them play for Pakistan, not just for one series but with the future in mind. They have experience playing here. They have played the Bangladesh league here. Sahibzada and Maaz have played here, and a few others were also involved last year. They are familiar with the grounds and conditions, and I hope they will play their best cricket."
Pakistan enters the series in strong ODI form, having secured victories in their last two home series against South Africa and Sri Lanka. Conversely, Bangladesh comes off a win against the West Indies in their most recent ODI outing, setting the stage for a competitive clash.
Match Preview and Viewing Details
Commenting on the upcoming contest, Afridi acknowledged the challenge ahead. "Any team is strong at home. Bangladesh are a good side, and they played well against the West Indies. But we are also ready. We performed well in the last two ODI series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, and we want to continue that," he added, emphasizing the tough competition expected as both teams prepare for future global tournaments.
For viewers in India, the first ODI will not be telecast on any TV channel. However, live streaming will be available exclusively on the FanCode app and website.
Squads for the Series
Pakistan Squad:
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Salman Agha
- Hussain Talat
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Abdul Samad
- Faheem Ashraf
- Shaheen Afridi (c)
- Haris Rauf
- Abrar Ahmed
- Mohammad Wasim Jr
- Faisal Akram
- Ghazi Ghori
- Saad Masood
- Shamyl Hussain
Bangladesh Squad:
- Soumya Sarkar
- Tanzid Hasan Tamim
- Najmul Hossain Shanto
- Towhid Hridoy
- Litton Das (wk)
- Afif Hossain
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c)
- Mahidul Islam Ankon
- Tanvir Islam
- Taskin Ahmed
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Saif Hassan
- Shoriful Islam
- Rishad Hossain
- Nahid Rana
This series marks a pivotal moment for Pakistan's ODI strategy, blending emerging talent with experienced campaigners as they aim to maintain their winning momentum against a determined Bangladesh side on home soil.
