Babar Azam Gets More Bad News After World Cup Disaster
There are bold calls in cricket, and then there are the kind that make the whole sport stop and stare. Pakistan just made one of those. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed its 15-man ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh, scheduled for March 11–15, 2026, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
Shaheen Shah Afridi leads the side. Six uncapped players earned call-ups. And Babar Azam? He’s sitting at home. Let that sink in for a second. Arguably, the best ODI player of the Greens is not in the list.
Babar Azam Out: The Decision That Has Everyone Talking
This isn’t a minor selection tweak. Dropping Azam from an ODI squad is the kind of move that shakes the foundation of a cricket program. For years, Babar was Pakistan cricket. The poster boy. The run machine. The captain who steadied a notoriously turbulent dressing room.
But Pakistan cricket doesn’t do things quietly, and this move is louder than most. Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf didn’t mince words, calling the decision “mind-boggling.” That’s a strong word from a man who knows what it takes to succeed at the top level. Yousuf isn’t alone in his confusion.
Fans erupted on social media, many calling the omission disrespectful given everything Azam has contributed to Pakistan‘s white-ball setup. Still, some fans saw it differently — welcoming the shake-up as an overdue opportunity to test fresh blood. Pakistan cricket has always had passionate debates, but this one cut deep.
The Numbers Behind the Call
To be fair to the selectors, the decision didn’t come out of nowhere. Azam had a T20 World Cup 2026 to forget, scratching together just 91 runs across four matches. His ODI numbers in 2025 weren’t much better, averaging 34 across 17 innings. For a batter of his caliber, that’s a concerning dip.
Even so, he posted a century against Sri Lanka late last year. One bad stretch doesn’t erase a decade of brilliance. That century is exactly what makes this decision so polarizing. Azam still has the ability. The question the PCB seems to be asking is whether ability alone is enough right now. Their answer, at least for this series, appears to be no.
Six New Faces, One Big Statement
The six uncapped players earning their first taste of international cricket are Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain. That’s a lot of unknowns heading into a competitive series. Analysts read this as the PCB deliberately hitting reset prioritizing experimentation and youth development over short-term results.
With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup looming, the logic isn’t completely without merit. If Pakistan is serious about building a new-look ODI side capable of competing at a World Cup, they need to start somewhere. Bangladesh in Dhaka is as good a place as any to find out what these young players are made of.
What This Means for Pakistan Cricket
Make no mistake this is a transition moment. Pakistan is clearly in the business of rebuilding, and Shaheen Afridi’s continued captaincy signals some level of stability at the top. But rebuilding with six debutants against a Bangladesh side playing at home is a genuine gamble.
The batting lineup will be under enormous pressure. Without Azam’s experience anchoring the middle order, younger players must step up fast. That’s either a launchpad for new stars or a recipe for a difficult series. There’s rarely a middle ground in Pakistan cricket.
FAQ SECTION
Q: Why was Babar Azam dropped?
A: PCB cited form concerns, with Babar struggling in recent T20 and ODI matches.
Q: Who is leading the squad?
A: Shaheen Shah Afridi remains captain.
Q: How many new players are included?
A: Six uncapped players have been named.
Q: What’s next for Babar Azam?
A: His return depends on future performances and PCB’s selection strategy.
What Happens Next for Azam
The bigger story here isn’t just this squad. It’s what this means for Azam’s future in ODI cricket. Is this a short-term rest, a form-related drop, or the beginning of a permanent transition away from one of the game’s great batters?
That answer depends largely on what happens in Dhaka. If the uncapped players impress, selectors will feel vindicated. If Pakistan struggles, the calls to bring Azam back will grow deafening. Either way, the former captain will be watching closely. And so will the rest of the cricket world.
