No Babar Azam as Pakistan make wholesale changes for Bangladesh ODIs Pakistan have made a slew of changes to their One-Day International (ODI) squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh, with star batsman Babar Azam being left out. The 15-member team, announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), features several fresh faces as part of coach Saqlain Mushtaq's efforts to build a stronger unit. Besides Azam, other notable absentees from the squad include experienced campaigners Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan. The PCB has instead opted for players like Saim Ayub, Aliyan Mehmood, and Abdul Bangalzai, who have been in impressive form in domestic cricket. The changes are part of a broader strategy to revamp Pakistan's ODI setup ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Saqlain, who took charge as coach last year, has identified the need for a more balanced attack and a stronger batting line-up to counter the challenges posed by modern-day T20-based ODI cricket. Pakistan will face Bangladesh in three ODIs on April 15, 17, and 19 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The series marks a significant opportunity for Pakistan's new-look team to gain valuable experience and build momentum ahead of their World Cup campaign. The squad also features some familiar faces like Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Shahnawaz Dahani, who will be expected to shoulder the responsibility of leading the side. With Azam's absence...#Babar_Azam #Saim_Ayub #Haris_Rauf #Fakhar_Zaman #Pakistan_Cricket_Board #Shadab_Khan #Saqlain_Mushtaq #Mohammad_Rizwan #Aliyan_Mehmood #Abdul_Bangalzai #Shahnawaz_Dahani #Mohammad_Haris #ImamulHaq #Abdullah_Shafique #Pallekele_International_Cricket_Stadium #ICC_Cricket_World_Cup_2023
Pakistan Drop Big Name from ODI Squad for Bangladesh Tour In a surprise move, the Pakistan Cricket Board has dropped senior batsman Fakhar Zaman from the One-Day International (ODI) squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. The decision comes as a major blow to the left-handed opener who was expected to be a key player in the series. Fakhar, who has been a regular feature in the Pakistan ODI team, has struggled with form and fitness issues in recent times. Despite this, his exclusion from the squad came as a shock to many, given his experience and ability to make a significant impact on the game. The 31-year-old has played 92 ODIs for Pakistan, scoring over 2,500 runs at an average of 33.65. He was instrumental in Pakistan's Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, where he scored 57 against India in the final. Pakistan's ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour includes a mix of experienced players and younger talent. The team will be led by captain Shadab Khan and will look to build on their recent successes in the format. The Pakistan Cricket Board has not given any official reason for Fakhar's exclusion, but sources suggest that he was struggling with fitness issues and was not considered fit enough for international cricket.#India #Bangladesh #Fakhar_Zaman #Champions_Trophy #Pakistan_Cricket_Board #Shadab_Khan
