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Pakistan’s Shocking Squad Decisions for Bangladesh T20Is: Babar Axed, Naseem Over Abbas, Irfan Retains Spot
In a surprising move that has left fans and cricket pundits questioning the selectors, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently unveiled a young yet controversial squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. While the return of players like Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah added excitement, the exclusion of senior figures such as Babar Azam and Abbas Afridi raised eyebrows. Even more puzzling was the retention of Irfan Khan Niazi despite his recent underwhelming performances.
PCB Names Agha Salman As Captain For BAN Tour
The PCB announced middle-order batter Agha Salman as the captain for the series, signaling a shift toward grooming fresh leadership. The squad sees a heavy tilt towards youth, including promising names like Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris, Hassan Nawaz, and Saim Ayub. However, Pakistan’s squad announcement wasn’t without controversy.
Youth-Driven Batting Core
Pakistan appears to be investing in its next generation of batters. The inclusion of Sahibzada Farhan, known for his aggressive starts, and the talented Saim Ayub, who has impressed in the domestic circuit, signals a bold new approach. However, the absence of an experienced pillar like Babar Azam casts a shadow over this strategy.
Babar Azam Omitted: A Risky Move Amid Batting Uncertainty
One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement is the non-selection of Babar Azam, arguably Pakistan’s most dependable batter in the shortest format. Given the team’s top-order struggles during the New Zealand series, many expected Babar’s return to stabilize the innings.
Despite repeated collapses in the top order, the selectors chose not to recall the former captain. Instead, they prioritized performances from the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL), where players like Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman made strong cases. Interestingly, Mohammad Haris was retained despite a string of low scores on the New Zealand tour.
This decision seems even more questionable when one considers Babar’s consistent track record and the current fragility of Pakistan’s middle order.
Read about Pakistan’s T20I performance in New Zealand
Naseem Shah Preferred Over In-Form Abbas Afridi
Abbas Afridi’s Omission Stuns Fans
Abbas Afridi, who has been in top form in recent months, finds himself surprisingly left out of the squad. Since his debut, the pace bowler has taken 33 wickets in just 20 T20I matches at a remarkable strike rate of 10.8. His average of 15.48 puts him among the elite Pakistani bowlers in the shortest format.
Even more compelling is Abbas’s recent PSL 2025 performance, where he claimed 17 wickets at a strike rate of 13.76—significantly better than many of his peers.
Naseem Shah’s Inclusion Raises Questions
Despite Abbas’s impressive run, the selectors opted to bring back Naseem Shah, who was dropped for the New Zealand series and had a below-par PSL 2025 (9 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 40.33). While Naseem offers pace and prior experience, the decision to sideline a consistently performing bowler like Abbas has confused many.
This move seems to go against Pakistan’s recent form-based selection policy and reflects inconsistency in their approach to team building.
Irfan Khan Niazi Retains His Spot Despite Poor Form
Middle-order batter Irfan Khan Niazi has retained his place in the T20I squad, even though his recent form suggests he might have benefited from some time away from international duty.
Underwhelming Stats In Recent Outings
In his last five T20I innings, Irfan Khan has managed just 67 runs at a meager average of 13.4. His PSL 2025 performance hasn’t been much better—165 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 132 and an average of just over 20.
Given the depth of young middle-order options available in the domestic circuit, Irfan’s continued selection has baffled fans and analysts alike. Some believe that giving chances to consistent performers in the PSL or domestic cricket would have been a more merit-based approach.
A Series of Bold and Risky Calls
Pakistan’s squad selection for the Bangladesh T20Is appears to be a blend of youth investment and puzzling decisions. While the emphasis on PSL performers is commendable, ignoring stalwarts like Babar Azam and in-form players like Abbas Afridi could backfire.
The spotlight will now be on Agha Salman’s leadership and how the young squad handles the pressure of international cricket. Only time will tell whether this gamble pays off or ends up exposing the flaws in Pakistan’s selection process once again.
Also Read: Pakistan Cricket’s News
