ISLAMABAD: With selectors moving forward aiming at national team’s new formation, Pakistan’s most prolific performer in the recently concluded President’s ODI Cup, 20-year-old Shahzaib Khan, has been overlooked for the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh.
Shahzaib’s omission is baffling given his extraordinary run of form. The stylish left-hander dominated the One-day President’s Cup, finishing as the leading run-scorer by a considerable margin.
His tally of 485 runs at an imposing average of over 80 per innings not only underlined his consistency but also reaffirmed his status as one of the brightest young prospects in Pakistan cricket.
Two years ago, during the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup at the Dubai Stadium, he played one of the most memorable knocks of the tournament. The left-hander smashed a breathtaking 159, peppering the boundary ropes with ten towering sixes to dismantle the Indian attack and steer Pakistan to a famous victory. That innings was widely hailed as a glimpse into the future of Pakistan’s batting. Yet, despite such credentials, Shahzaib failed to find a place in the squad, a decision that once again raises serious questions about the selection criteria and long-term vision. For many observers, his exclusion reflects a recurring flaw in Pakistan’s selection policy, where domestic excellence does not always translate into national opportunity.
The selectors have, however, infused fresh blood into the squad, handing opportunities to emerging names such as Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Ghazi Gouri, Saad Masood, Faisal Akram, and Shamyl Hussain. While their inclusion signals an intent to invest in youth, the persistent trend of dropping players only to recall them without a clear performance-based rationale continues to cloud the process.
Perhaps the most surprising recalls are those of Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf. Both players were recently sidelined, yet have returned to national duty without any significant domestic performances or publicly demonstrated improvements in form and fitness. Sources within the selection panel concede that the earlier decision to drop the duo may have been misjudged, an admission that further fuels the perception of inconsistency.
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side, with six uncapped players included in the squad. The uncapped players are Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.
Among them, Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood and Shamyl Hussain were part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad that played against England Lions in Abu Dhabi recently.
15-member squad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain
Series schedule:
March 8 – Pakistan arrival
March 10 – Practice
March 11 – First ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
March 13 – Second ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
March 15 – Third ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka.
