A source close to the Bangladesh selection panel confirmed that Afif’s comeback has been finalised following the conclusion of squad discussions. A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official also verified the development while outlining the team’s preparations ahead of the series.
Afif’s inclusion is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s middle order as the team aims to regain stability in the 50-over format. Since his removal from the national side, Afif has been performing consistently in domestic cricket. He impressed selectors with his performances in the latest Bangladesh Premier League, scoring 205 runs from 12 innings at a strike rate of 121.
“Afif Hossain is set to return to international cricket after a lengthy absence, with the middle-order batter poised for selection in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan,” the source told Cricbuzz.
The series will begin on March 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, with the remaining ODIs scheduled for March 13 and 15. Bangladesh will kick off preparations with a training camp starting March 6, followed by a practice match against Bangladesh A on March 7.
On the Pakistan side, former captain Babar Azam has been left out of the ODI setup following their early exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, with Shaheen Shah Afridi named as captain. Pakistan’s 15-member squad includes: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, and Shamyl Hussain.
Bangladesh is yet to announce its official squad for the series.
