In a stunning selection move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dropped star players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi from the T20I squad for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.
The three-match series in Lahore marks a major shift under new head coach Mike Hesson, who has signaled a fresh direction by favouring in-form domestic performers over established names.
Babar and Rizwan, long regarded as the backbone of Pakistan’s white-ball setup, failed to deliver standout performances during the recently concluded PSL Season 10.
Babar scored 288 runs in 10 games, while Rizwan managed 367, including a lone century. Afridi, too, had a quiet tournament, picking up just 11 wickets in as many matches.
Taking charge of the team is Salman Ali Agha, with Shadab Khan as vice-captain. The squad features returning faces like Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, alongside young talents such as Muhammad Irfan Khan and Hassan Nawaz.
The exclusion of seasoned stars has sparked heated debate, but the selectors appear determined to build a squad on recent merit. As Pakistan eyes the future, this series could mark the beginning of a generational transition in the T20 setup.
The revamped squad also marks Mike Hesson’s coaching debut, ushering in a new phase for Pakistan’s T20 ambitions and strategy.
In a significant and surprising decision, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has omitted senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi from the 16-member T20I squad for the upcoming three-match home series against Bangladesh. The series will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from May 26 to May 30, 2025.
The squad announcement, made on May 20, signals a strategic shift under newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson, who takes charge of the national side for the first time. The former New Zealand and Royal Challengers Bangalore coach is expected to usher in a new era focused on domestic performance and long-term team development.
Despite being key figures in Pakistan’s T20I structure in recent years, Babar Azam, Rizwan, and Shaheen have been sidelined, reportedly based on recent form in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. Babar Azam, who led Peshawar Zalmi, scored 288 runs in 10 matches at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 127. He registered three half-centuries but failed to convert starts into impactful innings. Mohammad Rizwan had a better statistical return, scoring 367 runs in the season, including a century, but selectors opted to look beyond both for this series. Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up 11 wickets in 11 matches, a performance seen as below expectations given his status as Pakistan’s premier fast bowler.
Salman Ali Agha has been retained as captain for the series, while all-rounder Shadab Khan has been appointed vice-captain. The selection committee, chaired by Wahab Riaz, emphasized current form and fitness as primary criteria. In a press release, Riaz stated that the goal is to develop a balanced unit to deliver consistent performances ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
The squad features the return of left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman, who missed recent tours due to injury, and Saim Ayub, another aggressive top-order batter who had an impressive PSL campaign. Among the new faces are Muhammad Irfan Khan and Hassan Nawaz, both of whom made headlines in the domestic circuit and PSL for their explosive batting and fielding prowess.
The bowling department includes Haris Rauf, who returns after recovering from a shoulder injury, along with Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr. Abrar Ahmed and Usama Mir offer spin options, while Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali provide pace-bowling all-round capabilities.
The three T20Is will occur on May 26, 28, and 30 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This series is considered a critical opportunity for Pakistan to test its bench strength and prepare for a busy international calendar ahead, including the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup qualifiers.
With senior players rested or dropped and a new coaching regime in place, the Bangladesh series could mark the beginning of a generational shift in Pakistan’s T20 cricket strategy. The selectors’ message is clear—performance will outweigh reputation moving forward.