Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has addressed questions about Babar Azam after Pakistan left the senior batter out of the squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh national cricket team.

Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka on Monday, Hesson said that the selection focused on giving opportunities to emerging players rather than targeting any individual.

“No one was dropped specifically. This is a good opportunity for us to look at young talent,” Hesson said when asked about Babar’s absence from the squad.

Hesson also spoke about the challenge Pakistan expects in Bangladesh’s home conditions. He expressed confidence in Pakistan’s spin attack but acknowledged that adapting quickly to local conditions will remain important.

“We have good spinners in the middle overs and we can beat Bangladesh in their conditions, but Bangladesh are also a very good team in their own conditions. We will have to adapt quickly to the conditions here,” he said.

The head coach pointed out that several players in the squad earned their spots through strong performances with Pakistan Shaheens.

“Our team includes some new faces who performed well for Pakistan Shaheens,” he said.

Pakistan will begin the three match ODI series against Bangladesh on March 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The second match will take place at the same venue on March 13, while the final ODI will be played on March 15.

The selectors left both Babar Azam and Saim Ayub out of the squad and handed maiden ODI call ups to six players.

Pakistan’s squad for the Bangladesh series includes Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain along with Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain.