Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson has addressed the growing debate surrounding Babar Azam’s absence from the ODI squad for the upcoming Bangladesh tour, starting March 11 in Dhaka. Pakistan’s squad announcement for the three-match ODI series created considerable buzz, largely because former captain Babar was not included in the lineup. The omission comes shortly after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026, prompting speculation that the team management could be moving in a new direction.
Mike Hesson opens up on Babar Azam’s absence in the ODI squad
Hesson has attempted to calm the conversation, emphasizing that the selections are more about experimentation and building depth than sidelining experienced cricketers. Speaking ahead of the Bangladesh tour, Hesson made it clear that the management does not view the squad changes as players being dropped. Instead, he described the series as an opportunity to assess emerging cricketers in the 50-over format, which Pakistan have played sparingly in recent months. According to Hesson, the intention is to create room for promising talents to showcase their abilities on the international stage.
“I wouldn’t say anyone was dropped. We just see this series as an opportunity to give these promising players a chance to prove themselves,” Hesson said during the pre-series press conference.
Several senior players miss out on the tour
Notably, Babar is not the only established name missing from the ODI squad. Pakistan have also left out Fakhar Zaman, who is currently dealing with an injury, along with Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah.
The absence of these experienced players has paved the way for a number of fresh faces to enter the national setup. The selectors have handed opportunities to Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, and Shamyl Hussain, all of whom have impressed in domestic or junior-level cricket.
Their inclusion indicates that the management is eager to evaluate the next generation of Pakistani cricketers and build a stronger pool for the future.
Sahibzada Farhan rewarded for strong performances
Among the players who have benefited from the shake-up is Sahibzada Farhan, who has been rewarded for his impressive performances in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026.
Farhan’s aggressive batting and consistency appear to have caught the attention of the selectors, earning him a place in the ODI squad. Hesson acknowledged that Farhan’s recent form made it difficult to ignore him when finalizing the team.
“Sahibzada Farhan has forced himself into the ODI squad because of his exceptional performances in T20s,” Hesson explained.
The coach also highlighted that players like Hussain and Sadaqat have been performing well in domestic competitions and youth-level cricket, making them worthy of a chance at the international level.
