Sahibzada Farhan, Shamyl Hussain, Abdul Samad and Maaz Sadaqat to earn maiden ODI caps as Pakistan introduce fresh talent in Dhaka

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Pakistan will hand ODI debuts to four players in the opening match of the series against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Wednesday, signalling a clear shift towards youth and fresh talent. Under the captaincy of Shaheen Shah Afridi, the team will include Sahibzada Farhan, Shamyl Hussain, Abdul Samad and Maaz Sadaqat, all of whom will wear the Pakistan ODI jersey for the first time.

This will be the first time since 2008 that Pakistan have fielded four debutants in an ODI, and only the second such instance since 1980. The move follows head coach Mike Hesson’s commitment to reward emerging players who have impressed with Pakistan Shaheens and domestic performances.

Speaking earlier in the week, Hesson described the new-look squad as an exciting group ready to step up to the international level. He emphasised that players who had performed well for the Shaheens had “earned the right” to be part of the senior side and said the team’s main challenge would be adapting quickly to the conditions in Bangladesh.

The inclusion of several uncapped players comes after a disappointing campaign for Pakistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where the side exited in the Super Eight stage. Following that performance, the Pakistan Cricket Board opted to leave out several senior names, including former captain Babar Azam, along with Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah.

Among the debutants, Farhan, 30, has been one of Pakistan’s most productive T20I openers in recent months. His impressive performances, including a record-breaking 383 runs at a single T20 World Cup, strengthened his case for a spot in the ODI setup despite limited recent List A appearances.

Twenty-one-year-old Shamyl Hussain is expected to open the batting alongside Farhan. Considered one of Pakistan’s promising young multi-format players, Shamyl finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the latest Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and has also impressed in List A cricket with an average above 46 and a strike rate of over a run a ball.

Middle-order batter Abdul Samad, 28, is widely known for his explosive T20 batting but now gets an opportunity to prove himself in the 50-over format. He has already registered two centuries in List A cricket and was the top scorer for the Pakistan Shaheens in their lone List A match against England A earlier this year.

Maaz Sadaqat, the youngest debutant at 20, is another exciting prospect. He first gained attention in the Pakistan Super League while playing for Peshawar Zalmi. In recent 50-over matches, Sadaqat has continued to develop, scoring three centuries and two half-centuries in his last 12 games. In addition to his batting, he offers slow left-arm orthodox spin, a skill that could prove valuable on the slower pitches expected in Dhaka.

The three-match ODI series against Bangladesh national cricket team will be played entirely in Dhaka on March 11, 13 and 15. It will also serve as Pakistan’s final international assignment before the start of the Pakistan Super League season on March 26.