Babar Azam Dropped - (Source: X.com)
On Wednesday, March 4, the PCB unveiled Pakistan’s 15-member squad for Men in Green’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh starting from March 11. The Mohsin Naqvi-led board made massive changes to the team sheet and the most noticeable one was Babar Azam’s exclusion.
The fans were shocked to see the former Pakistan captain’s name missing from the 15-member team list. Notably, Pakistan had a poor T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, which also led to several players’ exits. However, the fans were shocked to see Babar bowing out of the team despite boasting a great ODI record.
Babar Azam Dropped Despite Stellar SL Series
It is true that Babar had a disappointing World Cup campaign and only amassed 91 runs in four innings. However, one fact that the PCB ignored while picking up the squad for the Bangladesh tour was that Azam was Pakistan’s leading run-getter in their last ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Notably, Sri Lanka toured Pakistan in November 2025, where Babar Azam scored 165 runs in three innings, which also featured a century for the right-handed batter after two years. Therefore, no one expected him to be dropped following a stellar series.
Also, for the unversed, it is the first time that Babar has been dropped from the ODI set-up in his career. Interestingly, he scored just 224 runs in 2024 and raised his bar to 544 runs in 2025. Despite the improvement, the PCB decided to leave their most-successful active ODI batter out of the fifty-over set-up.
Fans React Angrily on Social Media
The fans were disappointed by the PCB’s decision to axe Babar Azam from ODIs based on his T20 World Cup 2026 performance. They quickly took to social media platforms where they bashed Mohsin Naqvi, Aquib Javed and also newly appointed captain Shaheen Afridi for injustice towards their former captain.
Meanwhile, this article will shed light on some of the reactions that have spread like wildfire on the internet. Majority the fans raised their voice in unison demanding the sacking of selection committee as they accused them of bias and also pushing aside Babar purposely.
Also Read: India Coach Throws Shivam Dube Under The Bus Ahead Of T20 World Cup Semifinal vs England
Pakistan's ODI Squad For Bangladesh Series
Notably, Shaheen Afridi will lead the side but the PCB has not revealed the team's deputy for the upcoming series. Further, the Mohsin Naqvi-led board has also emphasised on rewarding U-19 side who beat India and won the U-19 Asia Cup in 2025.
Shaheen Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, F Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, H Talat, M Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), M Wasim, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, S Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain
Major Inclusions: Abdul Samad, Shamyl Hussain, Moaz Sadaqat, Sahibzada Farhan, Ghazi Ghori, Saad masood
Major Exclusions: Babar azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Naseem Shah
Also Read: Mike Hesson Faces Heat From Salman Agha After Pakistan's Shambolic T20 WC Performance
