ISLAMABAD: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is expected to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh after suffering a hamstring injury, raising doubts about his participation in the tour scheduled from March 11 to 15.
Reports indicate that the left-handed batter is currently undergoing rehabilitation after picking up the injury and is unlikely to recover in time for the Bangladesh tour.
Pakistan are set to arrive in Dhaka on March 9, with all three matches scheduled to be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on March 11, 13 and 15.
The 34-year-old had a limited involvement during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, appearing in only two matches for Pakistan. He missed the group-stage fixtures against the Netherlands, USA, India and Namibia before returning for the Super Eights matches against England and Sri Lanka.
Hitting nine fours
In the match against England, Fakhar scored 25 runs, while he produced an impressive 84 off 42 balls against Sri Lanka, hitting nine fours and four sixes.
Meanwhile, uncertainty still surrounds Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh due to ongoing regional tensions. The series will proceed only if the security and travel situation remains stable.
Deliberations regarding Pakistan’s squad for the series are expected to begin later this week as the team shifts focus towards preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The selection committee is considering several changes to the squad, with younger players likely to be given opportunities in place of some senior members, including Babar Azam, Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz, who struggled during the recent T20 World Cup.
Immediate T20I commitments
Since Pakistan do not have any immediate T20I commitments, a major reshuffle in the shortest-format squad is not expected for now.
Pakistan last played an ODI series in November when they hosted Sri Lanka and secured a 3-0 whitewash.
That series marked only the second ODI assignment under captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose first stint as skipper came in a home series against South Africa, which Pakistan won 2-1.
