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BAN vs PAK 1st ODI: After the disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2026, the Pakistan cricket team has now embarked on a tour of Bangladesh with the intention of making a fresh start. The first match of the three-match ODI series is being played on Wednesday (March 11) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

This series is being considered very important for Pakistan, because the team management is giving opportunities to young players in preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. After being out of the group stage in the T20 World Cup, many major changes have been seen regarding team selection.

Questions raised regarding Babar Azam

In recent months, questions have also been raised regarding the place of former Pakistan captain Babar Azam. After the team’s poor performance in the T20 format, the discussion on his future had intensified. Along with Babar, the team’s star all-rounder Sam Ayub and senior spin bowler Mohammad Nawaz have also not got a place in the squad.

However, team captain Shaheen Afridi made it clear that no player has been dropped for this series. He said that the objective of the team is to give opportunity to the youth so that they can prove themselves at the international level.

Shaheen said that the future of Pakistan cricket lies in these young players and they will get a good opportunity to showcase their talent against Bangladesh.

Debut of 3 players in first ODI

By giving opportunity to four new players in the first ODI, Pakistan has given a clear indication that the team is busy preparing for the future. Captain Shaheen Afridi confirmed that Sahibzada Farhan, Shamil Hussain and Maaz Sadaqat are making their debut for Pakistan in this match.

These players have got a place in the team on the basis of their excellent performance in domestic cricket. Especially Sahibzada Farhan was among the highest run-scorers in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, due to which he was given a chance in the ODI team.

Both teams have their eyes on series victory

Bangladesh team has won the toss and decided to bowl first. Bangladesh would like to take advantage of the home conditions and perform strongly in this series, while Pakistan would like to make a winning start with the new team combination.

This series is not only a matter of victory for Pakistan but is also considered an important step towards team building. The performance of these young players in the coming times will decide what the face of Pakistan team will be for the 2027 World Cup.

Playing 11 for both teams

Bangladesh Playing XI: Tanjeed Hasan Tamim, Saif Hasan, Nazmul Hussain Shanto, Liton Das (wk), Mehdi Hasan Miraj (captain), Tauheed Hridoy, Afif Hussain, Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hussain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana.

bench: Soumya Sarkar, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Tanveer Islam, Mohammad Shoriful Islam.

Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamil Hussain, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Abdul Samad, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (captain), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Abrar Ahmed.

bench: Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram, Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood.