Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming Bangladesh tour have suffered a major blow as experienced batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series. The setback comes at a time when Pakistan are already trying to regroup following their disappointing exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Why Fakhar Zaman will not tour Bangladesh?
The 35-year-old picked up the injury during Pakistan’s final Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 and will now undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore as he works toward regaining full fitness.
Fakhar sustained the injury while playing a remarkable innings against Sri Lanka on February 28 at the Pallekele International Stadium. In what turned out to be a high-pressure encounter, the aggressive opener delivered a sensational knock of 84 runs off just 42 balls. Batting with trademark flair, he smashed nine boundaries and four towering sixes, giving Pakistan a strong platform. Although Pakistan managed to win the match, the victory came too late to keep their World Cup campaign alive. Despite the disappointment of the early exit, Fakhar’s fearless innings stood out as one of the highlights of Pakistan’s final outing in the tournament.
Interestingly, Fakhar had a limited role throughout the competition. He featured in only two matches during the World Cup campaign, missing the group-stage games against the Netherlands, USA, India, and Namibia. He returned to the playing XI during the Super Eight stage, scoring 25 runs against England before producing his explosive half-century against Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, his injury during that innings has now forced him to miss the Bangladesh series.
Fakhar’s absence will undoubtedly leave a gap in Pakistan’s top order. Over the years, the left-hander has established himself as one of the team’s most dependable ODI batters. In 92 ODIs, he has scored 3,861 runs at an impressive average of 45.42 and a strike rate of over 93. His record includes 11 centuries, with his most memorable knock being the unbeaten 210 against Zimbabwe in 2018. Fakhar is also fondly remembered for his match-winning century in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India, which remains one of the defining moments of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket history.
Who will replace Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan’s ODI squad?
Meanwhile, the Pakistan squad is scheduled to depart for Dhaka on March 9. The team will have a practice session on March 10 before the series begins. All three matches are set to take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on March 11, 13, and 15.
With Fakhar unavailable, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to name a replacement soon. One of the leading contenders is Sahibzada Farhan, who recently enjoyed a remarkable T20 World Cup campaign. The talented opener finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, breaking Virat Kohli’s long-standing record with 383 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 76.60 and a strike rate exceeding 160. His performances have put him firmly in contention for a place in the ODI side as well.
Farhan’s domestic record also strengthens his case. In 72 List-A matches, he has scored 2,926 runs at an average of 41.80, showing the consistency needed for the 50-over format. If selected, he could get a valuable opportunity to cement his place in Pakistan’s ODI setup.
