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Shaheen Afridi Back; Will PCB Drop Babar Azam? Probable Changes In PAK Squad After Defeat In NZ ODIs

Debashis Sarangi

Pakistan lost the ODI series by 3-0 [Source: @CallMeSheri1/X]Pakistan lost the ODI series by 3-0 [Source: @CallMeSheri1/X]

This morning, Pakistan had a disastrous day on the field, as New Zealand crushed them in the third ODI, completing a clinical white-wash in the series. Batting first, the BlackCaps posted a competitive 264-run total before restricting the visitors to a paltry 221-run score with a disciplined bowling effort. 

As Pakistan's worrisome ODI performance continues, let's analyse and find out the probable changes in their squad for the 50-over format going forward. 

Is Babar Azam's Place Safe In ODI Team?

Criterion
Data
Innings3
Runs129
Average43
Strike Rate89.58

(Babar Azam's stats in NZ ODIs)

  • Experienced batter Babar Azam received massive backlash for not converting his starts into significant scores after Pakistan's third straight defeat in the New Zealand ODIs. 
  • However, Babar was Pakistan's best batter in the series. While his teammates struggled to get going against New Zealand's rampant pace attack, Babar struck 129 runs, including two half-centuries, at a healthy average of 43 and a strike rate of 89.58. 
  • Therefore, it won't make any sense if the PCB decides to look beyond Babar Azam, as he certainly continues to be Pakistan's biggest batting asset in ODI cricket. 

Shaheen Afridi Back In Place Of Wasim Jr?

Criterion
Data
Innings2
Wickets
2
Economy6.94
Strike Rate54

(Wasim Jr's worrisome numbers in NZ ODIs)

  • Mohammad Wasim Jr received a well-deserved recall into Pakistan's ODI side following his impressive returns in the domestic circuit. 
  • However, the right-arm pacer looked out of sorts, as he was hammered to all parts of the ground in the ODI series. He leaked runs at a horrible economy of 6.94, letting Pakistan down in the series. 
  • Although it could be a bit early to discard him again from the ODI team, Pakistan have a tendency to make wholesome changes after embarrassing series defeats. 
  • In such a scenario, it won't be surprising if they drop Wasim Jr and bring ace speedster Shaheen Afridi back into the ODI squad. 
  • Having said that, a lot will depend on how Shaheen performs in the upcoming PSL season. If the fast bowler impresses the PCB selection committee with a string of impactful outings, who knows if he could get a wildcard entry into the Pakistan squad when they play their next ODI series. 

Mohammad Rizwan's Captaincy Future In Jeopardy?

  • Keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had a dream start to his captaincy stint, leading Pakistan to two clinical series victories in Australia and South Africa. 
  • However, 2025 has been disastrous for Rizwan, the captain, with Pakistan losing seven out of nine ODI matches, including a humiliating group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy. 
  • We clearly remember when PCB sacked Shaheen Afridi from captaincy after his failure in five T20Is. So, considering the board's tendency to frequently tinker with the leadership group, there's massive pressure on Rizwan to prove his mettle as the Multan Sultans skipper and save his captaincy future for the national side. 

No Place For Proven Failures?

  • The likes of Irfan Khan Niazi, Tayyab Tahir and Abdullah Shafique could be shown the exit door for prolonged rough patches in ODI cricket. 
  • While Tahir managed only 47 runs across three outings, Shafique could contribute 70 runs at a horrendous strike rate of 60.34. Meanwhile, Irfan Khan has amassed only 48 runs across six ODI innings and could be replaced by a more dynamic finisher down the order.