Mirpur: Three debutants will be included in Pakistan’s playing XI for the much-anticipated first ODI of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi on Tuesday announced.
The Green Shirts made massive changes to their squad going into the series as they rested six key players including their top order of Faqar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Babar Azam respectively.
As a result, Pakistan hands over the debut cap to Sahibzada Farhan, Mas Sadaq and Shamil Hussain in the series opener at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Farhan and Maas will open the innings for Pakistan in their respective opening matches, while Hussain will bat at No.3, their captain Shaheen, confirmed ahead of the series.
“There will be three debuts, of course, Sahibzada Farhan, who is T20 (…), and has been a great performer in A cricket for Pakistan, he has done well. (…) Mas will open with a century, Shamil Hussain will be one down,” Shaheen told reporters.
“I am sure they will play their own game and showcase their talents, so we, as a team, are very excited to see them play for Pakistan, not just for one series but for the future.”
Shaheen also clarified the exclusion of six key players, insisting that they were not dropped, instead the decision was taken to give youngsters an opportunity to showcase their potential ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
“Look, nobody is giving up for this series; we want to give a chance to our youngsters, they are our future. So, we want to give a chance against Bangladesh, I think when the time comes, and they also know their role in the World Cup and what’s coming in the future,” Shaheen told reporters.
“We have to prepare our team for the World Cup and it’s an opportunity for the youngsters to go and showcase their skills,” he added.