The Pakistan national cricket team faces a major selection dilemma ahead of the upcoming home ODI series against Australia. Experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could lose his place in the squad as the management considers alternative options for the white-ball setup for future assignments.
Australia are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on May 23 for the ODI series. The opening match will take place on May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the second and third ODIs are scheduled for June 2 and June 4 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. All three matches will begin at 4:30 PM local time.
Mohammad Rizwan’s ODI Future in Doubt Ahead of Australia Series
According to the latest news from Pakistani media, white-ball coach Mike Hesson and captain Shaheen Afridi could make major changes to their ODI squad. The management wants to build a more flexible team and test new wicketkeeping options during the upcoming three-match series against Australia.
Mohammad Rizwan has been a key player in Pakistan’s white-ball setup for several years. However, the current coaching staff is open to trying younger players in the ODI format. Rizwan has scored 2,979 runs in 103 matches at an average of 40.08, including four centuries and 19 half-centuries.
He has also taken 113 catches and completed seven stumpings as wicketkeeper. Rizwan’s recent form came under criticism after he scored only 58 runs in three ODI matches against Bangladesh in March 2026.
Pakistan Considering New Wicketkeeping Options for Australia ODI Series
The selection committee is considering domestic performers like Usman Khan and Mirza Saad Baig for wicketkeeping roles in the upcoming ODI squad.
The management is also closely monitoring youngster Ghazi Ghori, who recently made his ODI debut against Bangladesh. The selectors are expected to finalize the squad after evaluating player performances during the ongoing training and conditioning camp in Rawalpindi.
Australia last toured Pakistan for an ODI series in 2022, when Pakistan secured a 2-1 series victory. They toured Pakistan for a T20I series between January and February. Pakistan dominated the series and completed a 3-0 clean sweep against Australia in front of the home crowd in Lahore.
Bangladesh Complete Historic Test Series Sweep Over Pakistan
The Pakistan Test team recently suffered a historic defeat against Bangladesh. Bangladesh completed a 2-0 series sweep after securing a 78-run victory in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Before 2024, Bangladesh had never defeated Pakistan in a Test match. The team has registered four consecutive Test wins against Pakistan and also secured its first home Test series victory over them. Bangladesh also moved above India to fifth place in the championship standings.
Spinner Taijul Islam starred with the ball, taking 6/120 in the match. Bangladesh bowled Pakistan out for 358 while defending a target of 436 on the final day after a brief rain delay.
Mohammad Rizwan fought hard with 94 runs off 166 balls, while Sajid Khan added 28. However, Taijul Islam broke the partnership before Bangladesh wrapped up the innings.
Also read: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ODI future under discussion as selectors monitor Rohit Sharma’s fitness
