Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson has addressed the rising debate surrounding Babar Azam’s absence from the ODI squad for the upcoming Bangladesh tour, beginning March 11 in Dhaka. Pakistan’s squad announcement for the three-match ODI sequence created appreciable buzz, largely as a result of former captain Babar was not included within the lineup. The omission comes shortly after Pakistan’s disappointing marketing campaign within the T20 World Cup 2026, prompting hypothesis that the workforce administration could possibly be shifting in a brand new path.
Mike Hesson opens up on Babar Azam’s absence within the ODI squad
Hesson has tried to calm the dialog, emphasizing that the choices are extra about experimentation and constructing depth than sidelining skilled cricketers. Talking forward of the Bangladesh tour, Hesson made it clear that the administration doesn’t view the squad modifications as gamers being dropped. As a substitute, he described the sequence as a chance to evaluate rising cricketers within the 50-over format, which Pakistan have performed sparingly in current months. In accordance with Hesson, the intention is to create room for promising skills to showcase their skills on the worldwide stage.
“I wouldn’t say anybody was dropped. We simply see this sequence as a chance to provide these promising gamers an opportunity to show themselves,” Hesson stated in the course of the pre-series press convention.
A number of senior gamers miss out on the tour
Notably, Babar shouldn’t be the one established title lacking from the ODI squad. Pakistan have additionally overlooked Fakhar Zaman, who’s at the moment coping with an damage, together with Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah.
The absence of those skilled gamers has paved the best way for a lot of contemporary faces to enter the nationwide setup. The selectors have handed alternatives to Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, and Shamyl Hussain, all of whom have impressed in home or junior-level cricket.
Their inclusion signifies that the administration is keen to judge the subsequent era of Pakistani cricketers and construct a stronger pool for the long run.
Additionally READ: Pakistan name 6 uncapped players in ODI squad for Bangladesh tour, no place for Babar Azam
Sahibzada Farhan rewarded for robust performances
Among the many gamers who’ve benefited from the shake-up is Sahibzada Farhan, who has been rewarded for his spectacular performances within the lately concluded T20 World Cup 2026.
Farhan’s aggressive batting and consistency seem to have caught the eye of the selectors, incomes him a spot within the ODI squad. Hesson acknowledged that Farhan’s current kind made it troublesome to disregard him when finalizing the workforce.
“Sahibzada Farhan has compelled himself into the ODI squad due to his distinctive performances in T20s,” Hesson defined.
The coach additionally highlighted that gamers like Hussain and Sadaqat have been performing nicely in home competitions and youth-level cricket, making them worthy of an opportunity on the worldwide degree.
Additionally READ: Bangladesh name strong squad for the ODI series against Pakistan, Atif Hossain returns
