ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday it picked six uncapped players in its 15-member One Day International (ODI) squad for a three-match series scheduled from Mar. 11-15 against Bangladesh in Dhaka in what will be Pakistan’s second visit since relations between the two countries began to improve in 2024.
The two sides have been strengthening cricketing ties. Earlier this year, Pakistan briefly threatened to boycott its Twenty20 World Cup match against India in Colombo, citing what it called unfair treatment of Bangladesh after the International Cricket Council (ICC) moved Dhaka off the tournament schedule after the team refused to play in India over security concerns.
Pakistan later reversed its decision following negotiations, with officials saying Bangladesh’s concerns had been addressed by the ICC.
“Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side, with six uncapped players included in the squad,” the PCB said in a statement.
“The uncapped players are Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.”
The Pakistan team will reach Dhaka on Mar. 8 and play a practice match on Mar. 10 before the series begins.
The first ODI will be played on Mar. 11, followed by the second on Mar. 13, with the third and final match scheduled for Mar. 15.
All three matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
The series comes amid a broader thaw in diplomatic ties between the two South Asian nations, which were part of the same country until Bangladesh’s secession following a bloody civil war in 1971, an event that long cast a shadow over relations.
Relations have warmed since August 2024, after the ouster of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was widely viewed as close to India.
Cricket has often reflected political currents in South Asia.
15-MEMBER SQUAD
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain
