Afridi confirms three debutants for opening ODI against Bangladesh

Pakistan’s One-Day International captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has confirmed that three young players will make their debut in the opening ODI against Bangladesh, 24NewsHD TV reported on Tuesday.  

Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Dhaka, Afridi announced that Sahibzada Farhan, Muaz Sadaqat, and Shamyl Hussain will debut in the national ODI side.

The captain expressed confidence that the youngsters would prove their talent at the international level, citing their impressive performances in domestic cricket.

Afridi made special mention of Sahibzada Farhan, highlighting his achievements and batting ability.

He noted that Farhan had previously finished as the top scorer in the T20 World Cup and could become a valuable asset for the team in the longer white-ball format as well.

The Pakistan skipper also clarified that no senior player had been dropped from the squad, noting that the inclusion of young cricketers was part of a long-term strategy to groom fresh talent.

He added that providing opportunities to emerging players was essential for building a strong pool of cricketers, as these youngsters represent the future of Pakistan cricket and will play a key role in preparing the team for upcoming ICC events, including the next ODI World Cup.

“I hope that they play their own [natural] game and show their skills. We, as a team, are very excited to see them play.”

The captain highlighted that familiarity with local conditions will be an advantage for the debutants.

“Sahibzada has played in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and Maaz has also played here. So it should feel like just another game for them. I hope they play their best cricket and express themselves,” he added.

Shaheen Afridi was also asked about Pakistan’s bowling combination and the potential inclusion of Saad Masood, given the spin-friendly nature of Dhaka pitches.

“Only 11 players can play, so we will decide according to the team requirement and pitch conditions. We have one more practice session today, after which the final playing XI will be announced,” he stated.