Misbah returns as Pakistan selector a day after Babar is dropped from ODIs; Sarfaraz Ahmed handed major role

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made fresh changes to the national men’s selection committee by including former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed. The move comes just a day after star batter Babar Azam was dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh.

According to the PCB’s official website, the new four-member selection panel now includes Misbah, Sarfaraz, former fast bowler Aaqib Javed and ex-Test batter Asad Shafiq. The changes were made after the resignation of former elite umpire Aleem Dar, who had joined the selection committee in October 2024.

Reports also suggested that Dar had opposed the inclusion of Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Usman Khan in Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. He was also believed to have strongly supported wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan during the selection meetings.

Pakistan recently had a disappointing campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026. The team failed to qualify for the semifinals after finishing outside the top spots in the Super 8 stage. This marked the fourth consecutive ICC tournament where Pakistan could not reach the knockout rounds.

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Pakistan needed to win their final Super 8 match against Sri Lanka by a big margin to improve their net run rate and qualify for the semifinals. Although Pakistan won the match, Sri Lanka managed to keep the defeat within a manageable margin, which ultimately ended Pakistan’s chances.

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Pakistan’s ODI squad for Bangladesh series

Meanwhile, the PCB has also announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in Dhaka from March 11 to 15. The biggest talking point from the squad announcement was the omission of Babar Azam and Saimm Ayub, both of whom failed to perform at the World Cup.

Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue as captain for the series. The squad also includes a few uncapped players, including Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sahibzada Farhan, who scored heavily at the T20 World Cup and has earned a place based on his recent performances.

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Pakistan squad: Shaheen Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha, Shamyl Hussain.