March 16, 2026

Hafeez Names Two Contenders If Babar Azam Misses ODI Games

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has triggered fresh chatter around the middle order. He backs Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique as possible alternatives at No.3 if Babar Azam misses ODI matches.

The comment came through a brief post on X, yet it quickly grabbed attention among cricket fans. Hafeez pointed to Masood’s impressive List A numbers and Shafique’s steady growth in international cricket. His idea was simple. Pakistan should test options early rather than scramble later.

Masood’s ODI record is not eye-catching. Nine games. Just 163 runs. Still, domestic numbers tell another story. The left-hander has piled up more than 6,400 runs in List A cricket at an average above 53. Those figures explain why some insiders feel he deserves another shot in the format.

Shafique, meanwhile, has already experienced the pressures of international white-ball cricket. In 27 ODIs he has gathered 737 runs, including a century and several half-centuries. His calm style often stands out. Few saw this coming, but Hafeez clearly believes the opener could slide down the order if required.

Hafeez looks ahead to World Cup planning

The suggestion also connects with the ongoing Babar Azam ODI replacement debate that continues to swirl around Pakistan cricket whenever the star batter is rested or sidelined.

Selection discussions have grown louder lately, especially after reports that Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman carried injuries during the T20 World Cup. According to selectors, the pair were not considered for the Bangladesh ODI tour because fitness concerns were not fully communicated earlier.

That revelation raised eyebrows. Fans questioned planning. Some even accused the management of mixing formats too freely.

Inside the dressing room, though, the mood appears more measured. The selection panel insists the current tour was always meant to test younger faces and expand the squad pool.

Still, Hafeez’s remarks added another layer to the conversation. Suddenly the Babar Azam ODI replacement debate is not just about injuries or rest. It is also about long-term planning before the next ODI World Cup in South Africa.

For now, Babar remains central to Pakistan’s batting blueprint. Yet the search for reliable backups has clearly begun.