![Babar Azam was dropped for Pakistan Vs Bangladesh series [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1773205615139_babarazamdrasticstep.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam was dropped for Pakistan Vs Bangladesh series [Source: AFP]
Star batter Babar Azam took a drastic step after the PCB selection committee dropped him from the Pakistan Vs Bangladesh ODI series. Led by Shaheen Afridi, the Men in Green are set to take on the Tigers in a three-match series, starting on March 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
After suffering a Super 8 exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan are getting ready to face Bangladesh in an away series. Led by Salman Ali Agha, the Men in Green failed to qualify for the semifinal of the competition, signing off with a consolation win over Sri Lanka.
As the team couldn't live up to the expectations, the PCB selection committee made some bold changes to the ODI squad for Pakistan Vs Bangladesh.
So, Babar Azam was one of the high-profile names to miss out, with the selectors also excluding Saim Ayub for non-performance in the T20 World Cup.
PCB jeopardises Babar Azam's ODI career ahead of Pakistan Vs Bangladesh
Despite being one of the most successful Pakistani batters in the shortest format, Babar Azam couldn't overcome a persistent lean patch. The ace top-order player received massive backlash for his strike rate, as his struggle to up the ante adversely affected his team in T20Is.
As a result, the Pakistani team management, led by Mike Hesson, demoted him down the order in the T20 World Cup. In fact, the Men in Green used a player of Babar's stature as a floater, promoting power-hitters like Shadab Khan over him to capitalise on positive starts.
Also read: End Of The Road For Babar Azam? Shaheen Afridi Hints Pakistan Trying To Move On
The Lahore-born cricketer finished his T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with middling numbers, managing only 91 runs across four outings at a miserable average of 22.75 and a strike rate of 112.35.
So, the PCB selection committee dropped him from the Pakistan Vs Bangladesh ODIs, jeopardising his 50-over career ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Babar Azam distances from cricket after ODI snub
As the PCB moved on from him for the Pakistan Vs Bangladesh ODIs, Babar Azam took a drastic step, distancing himself from competitive cricket, Geo News reported. The talismanic Pakistani cricketer, who was supposed to participate in the National T20 Cup, will not play the famed domestic competition.
The report claims that the Pakistan team management suggested that Babar take a break and work on his batting technique. As a result, the stylish batter is currently fine-tuning his game, hoping for a grand comeback to competitive cricket.
When will Babar Azam play next?
According to the report by Geo News, Babar Azam won't feature in the ongoing National T20 Cup edition. Instead, he'll assess the grey areas in his batting and grind in the nets to resolve them.
The 31-year-old will make his comeback in the PSL 2026, where he'll be leading the Peshawar Zalmi. Captained by Babar, the Zalmi will kick-start their PSL 2026 campaign against the newly launched Rawalpindi Pindiz at the Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar on March 28.
After that, Peshawar Zalmi will cross swords against Islamabad, Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Quetta in their subsequent matches.
Also read: Not Punjab Kings! RCB To Face 'This' Team In 1st Match Of IPL 2026
