Pakistan to Leave Out Seasoned Trio For Bangladesh Series

Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen Face Uncertain Future as Pakistan Eyes Fresh Talent

By DTD- On May 20, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board is likely to stick with its recent strategy of testing younger blood, with reports suggesting that the big-name trio of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi will not find a place in Pakistan’s team for the Bangladesh series.

According to reports in the local media, the three players will be “rested” once again for the five-match series, which is expected to begin on May 27.

The decision is rooted in long-term planning. With the T20 Asia Cup later this year and the ICC T20 World Cup looming in 2026, the PCB is keen to test bench strength and groom fresh talent in competitive environments, especially in friendly home conditions. According to internal reports, team management views this home series as an ideal platform to blood young players and explore new tactical combinations.

Despite earlier rumblings that Mike Hesson was willing to recall Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen to Pakistan’s team, it appears the focus has shifted elsewhere, especially considering the talent on display in PSL 2025. Fresher faces like Mohammad Naeem, Yasir Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Abdul Samad among the batters, and Ubaid Shah and Ali Raza on the bowling front, have staked their claims for the national team after playing enterprising cricket.

Babar and Rizwan, who haven’t featured in any T20I since December 2024, appear to be on the periphery of Pakistan’s evolving T20 blueprint—one that emphasizes high-impact, power-packed cricket from ball one. Their omission reinforces the idea that the selectors are tilting toward a more aggressive batting order with a modern tempo.

Shaheen, meanwhile, is being managed with an eye on workload, particularly after a grueling season with the ball across formats. He most recently featured in Pakistan’s series against New Zealand, so his place for the future appears secured.

Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen may not be the only big names to miss out on the spot, given Pakistan’s dire need to blood new talent. The trio once formed the backbone of Pakistan cricket but now appear to be on the outside looking in for any future opportunities.

The T20I series, which will most likely be played in Faisalabad and Lahore, is not just about the scoreboard. It’s about staking claims, building a new core, and preparing for life beyond the familiar faces of the past five years.