Afif Hossain set to be included in ODI squad for Pakistan series

After a long absence, middle order batter Afif Hossain is expected to be selected for the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against Pakistan. The development was confirmed on Wednesday by a BCB source who worked closely with the national selection panel. The 15-member squad was chosen by the selectors for the series, which will begin on March 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The second and third One-Day Internationals (ODIs) will be played at the same venue on March 13 and 15, respectively, with Pakistan's arrival in Dhaka on March 9. Afif last represented Bangladesh in an ODI against West Indies in December 2024, after which he was dropped from the national team. However, after his performances in the Bangladesh Cricket League one-day competition and the Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup, which both recently concluded, the national selectors were forced to rethink their decision and gave him the chance to claim a comeback. In the previous Bangladesh Premier League, Afif scored 205 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 121. In the Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup, Afif impressed the selectors by scoring an unbeaten 60 runs off 36 balls for Durbar XI against Dhumketu XI. He then scored a century in the BCL for South Zone. Bangladesh are looking for middle order consistency, and Afif's ability to bowl a few overs worked in his favor when it came to returning to the setup. According to the source, "Afif seems to have fit the bill considering his recent form in domestic cricket and now selectors are hoping he translates his domestic form to the international stage." "In the late-order national selection panel wanted a left-hander." In the meantime, it has been reported that wicketkeeper-batsman Jaker Ali is likely to be dropped from the series because the management of the team wants Litton Kumar Das to be brought back into the ODI lineup. At this point, Litton's batting position is up for debate because some in the management circle think that playing him at number five rather than in the top three might be better for the team. In the meantime, a representative of the Bangladesh Cricket Board stated on Wednesday that the national team will prepare for the Pakistan series by playing a practice match on March 7 against Bangladesh A. The national team will play Bangladesh A the following day, and the preparation camp is scheduled to begin on March 6.