Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh T20Is Announced: No Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan or Shaheen Afridi Included

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Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh T20Is Announced: Pakistan have rung the changes as they announced a revamped 16-player squad for the upcoming T20I series at home against Bangladesh — a selection that marks the dawn of a new chapter under the stewardship of newly-appointed head coach Mike Hesson.

In a decision that has sent ripples through the cricketing world, the selectors have opted to rest some of their most seasoned stars. Former captain Babar Azam, veteran gloveman Mohammad Rizwan and premier pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi have all been left out.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that squad selection was based on "performances during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season," indicating a strong push towards rewarding domestic form.

Salman Ali Agha Leads, Shadab Returns as Deputy

Middle-order batter Salman Ali Agha has been entrusted with the captaincy duties, while all-rounder Shadab Khan — long viewed as a key cog in the T20I set-up — returns as vice-captain. The squad features a strong mix of youth and experience, with the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah forming the backbone of the bowling and batting departments.

The exclusion of Babar and Rizwan — both stalwarts of Pakistan's white-ball side in recent years — signals a shift in strategy, one that appears to be focused on building depth and unearthing fresh talent ahead of future assignments.

Saim Ayub Returns, Sahibzada Farhan Earns Long-Awaited Recall

Another headline grabber is the return of the dynamic left-hander Saim Ayub. The 21-year-old had been sidelined with an ankle fracture suffered during Pakistan’s tour of South Africa earlier this year, but made a successful return in the PSL. His comeback offers a timely boost to the top order.

Also making a compelling case through PSL heroics is Sahibzada Farhan. The 29-year-old has lit up the tournament with 394 runs at a staggering strike rate of 154.50, making him the highest run-scorer so far. His form has not gone unnoticed. After a six-year absence from the national fold, Farhan has earned his spot back in the T20I squad — a selection driven entirely by merit.

New Era Under Mike Hesson Begins

This will be the first assignment for Mike Hesson at the helm of Pakistan's national team. The former New Zealand coach brings a reputation for grooming young talent and reshaping squads with a long-term vision. The series against Bangladesh, to be played in Lahore, will offer the Kiwi tactician an early glimpse into the depth of Pakistan’s white-ball talent.

The schedule for the three-match series is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Pakistan Squad:

Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub.