After naming their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) all but confirmed that it is curtains for the trio of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi in the shortest format of the game.

Babar and Rizwan did not feature in the national team squad led by Salman Agha for the third time in a row after missing the away series against New Zealand and the home outing against Bangladesh. Shaheen also did not get a chance against Bangladesh and will now miss the away trip to the country.

The PCB announced Pakistan's squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh with some more big calls as Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf also failed to find a place this time around. However, Shadab is recovering from surgery on his right shoulder while Rauf suffered a hamstring injury during the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC).

At a press conference after the announcement, addressed by Amir Mir, advisor to PCB chairman and the board's CEO, Sumair Ahmed, the governing body did not mince their words and hinted that it is the end of the road for the star trio.

"The team we have given (Shaheen) is not part of it. The series that is starting on 16th. These matches are from 20-24th. We have given you the team. His name is not there," said Mir on being asked if Shaheen if he was rested.

Post his reply, a reported question about the status of Babar, Rizwan, alongside Shaheen and whether the players were in the plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

"See this is the T20 squad. The players you are talking about are normally in the ODI team. When the ODI squad is released, you see who is there and not there," said Mir.

Pakistan Squad For T20I Series Against Bangladesh: Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem