Pakistan’s ODI team could soon witness a change in its batting order as former captain Mohammad Hafeez proposed two potential replacements for Babar Azam at the crucial No 3 position. Hafeez’s comments came in the wake of Babar’s underwhelming form in the 50-over format, which recently led to his exclusion from Pakistan’s ODI squad during their tour of Bangladesh.
Pakistan suffered a 2–1 series defeat in the three-match ODI contest, and Babar’s absence reignited discussions around the team’s middle-order stability. Amid the debate, Hafeez suggested that the team management should start exploring alternative options ahead of the next major ICC event.
Mohammad Hafeez names 2 picks as replacement of Babar Azam in ODIs
Taking to social media, Hafeez named Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique as two players capable of filling the No 3 role in ODIs if Babar is unavailable due to injury, rest, or form. According to Hafeez, Pakistan must think proactively about its batting combination with long-term goals in mind, particularly the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 scheduled to be held in South Africa.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Hafeez wrote that Masood, who boasts an impressive List A average above 50, could be a strong candidate for the position. He also mentioned Shafique as another technically sound batter who could slot into the role if the team decides to move beyond Babar temporarily.
“Shaan Masood (53 Ave) or Abdullah Shafiq could be better option as no3 batter in ODI format if Babar Azam is injured or rested for some reasons. Considering next World Cup in South Africa,” Hafeez wrote on X.
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Babar’s dip in ODI form raises concerns
Babar has long been regarded as Pakistan’s premier batter in limited-overs cricket, but his recent numbers in ODIs have raised concerns among fans and analysts. Once ranked among the top ODI batters in the world, the right-hander has struggled to maintain the high standards he set earlier in his career.
Although Babar finally ended a lengthy international century drought with a hundred against Sri Lanka in November 2025, his overall performance across recent ODI innings has been below expectations. Over his last 30 ODI innings, he has averaged around 35 with a strike rate of 78.55—figures that fall short of his outstanding career average of 53.73. Such numbers have inevitably triggered debate about whether Pakistan should experiment with new players in key batting positions.
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