Former captain Mohammad Rizwan defended the inclusion of wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori and urged patience with young players as Pakistan finalised an ODI squad that includes saad masood ahead of the Bangladesh tour.
Rizwan Defends Ghazi Ghori’s Selection
Speaking at the national team’s training camp in Karachi, Rizwan said Ghori earned his place on the basis of performance and asked critics to give emerging players space to develop at the international level. Rizwan framed the pick as merit-based and noted the value of injecting fresh talent, especially in the wicketkeeping department where competition has been limited.
Rizwan also cautioned against underestimating Bangladesh in their home conditions, stressing that the series may look straightforward on paper but that the home side can be a tough opponent. He added that leadership input should matter in selection choices, arguing that if a captain’s views are ignored the captaincy arrangement should be reconsidered.
Saad Masood Included In 15‑Man ODI Squad
The touring party includes Saad Masood among the 15 players named for the series. The squad features a mix of experience and several uncapped players, with Ghori one of six newcomers selected to the lineup. The group named at the Hanif Mohammad High‑Performance Centre lists the players as: 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.
Schedule, Context And What Comes Next
The three ODI matches are scheduled at the Sher‑e‑Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on March 11, March 13 and March 15. The tour is Pakistan’s first international assignment following recent setbacks noted by team management, and selectors have opted for significant changes to the lineup in what has been described as an effort to fast‑track new talent into the national setup.
Pakistan will continue preparations at the training camp ahead of departure, while Rizwan’s public defence of Ghori and the presence of players such as Saad Masood keep selection debates in focus as the squad moves toward the opening match.
