ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will hand One Day International debuts to three top-order batsmen when they face Bangladesh in the opening match of a three-game series in Dhaka today, Wednesday, with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi expressing confidence in the newcomers ahead of the contest.

Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat and Shamyl Hussain are set to earn ODI caps 255, 256 and 257 respectively, forming Pakistan’s top three in the series opener at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

“There will be three debutants for us in the first game,” Afridi told reporters ahead of the series. “Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat will open the batting, while Shamyl Hussain will bat at three.”

“I hope they will play their own game and show their skills. We are all excited to see them play for Pakistan not just for one series but future as well.”

Pakistan arrive in Bangladesh after winning their previous two ODI series at home against South Africa and Sri Lanka and held training sessions in Karachi before departing for Dhaka earlier this week.

Afridi said the team expected a competitive contest against Bangladesh, which traditionally performs strongly in home conditions.

“All the teams are very good in their home conditions and similarly Bangladesh have done well in their home ground as well,” he said. “As a team we are prepared well.”

Pakistan have historically dominated the bilateral ODI rivalry, winning 34 of the 39 matches played between the two sides, with one game ending without a result.

The three-match series marks the latest white-ball engagement between the teams after they faced each other in multiple T20I contests since May last year.

The match will begin at 1:15 p.m. Pakistan time and will be broadcast live on PTV Sports.

The two teams will play the other two ODIs on March 13 and March 15 at the same venue.