US-Israel-Iran war impact on India: The Donald Trump administration’s move ‘granting’ waiver to purchase Russian crude in lieu of the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz has important implications for India’s energy security. Around 90% of India’s crude oil is imported – and around 40-50% of India’s crude oil imports come from the Middle East, particularly after it substantially reduced purchases of Russian crude oil. This makes the impact of the currently stuck Middle East oil supplies significant – and any alternatives such as Russian crude important.Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, India had emerged as the largest buyer of Russian seaborne crude oil. In August last year, the Trump administration levied a 25% penal tariff that was linked to India’s imports of crude oil from Russia. The finalisation of the India-US trade deal was also linked to India stopping Russian crude oil procurement.

After US sanctions on Russian oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil, Indian refiners started scaling back these purchases. This helped India secure a trade deal with the US, under which tariffs on New Delhi were reduced to 18%. However, with the US Supreme Court verdict striking down Trump’s tariffs, the trade deal is yet to be finalised.It’s important to note that India has never said that it will stop procuring Russian crude. The US lifted the 25% penalty tariff on India for Russian crude in February. The Trump administration said that lifting of the tariff was contingent on India completely stopping Russian crude oil buys, which the US has claimed helps indirectly finance Russia’s war against Ukraine.

On its part, India has maintained that its decisions to buy crude oil will be guided by the country’s energy security interests and wherever cheaper crude options are available. But, the fact remains that Russian crude oil buys have been declining.And now, with the supply of crude oil from the Middle East taking a hit, India has been scouting for alternatives. Russia had already conveyed willingness to step up supply of crude to India to help it meet oil needs. The US waiver has provided immediate relief, say analysts, though the fundamental vulnerability remains.

Russian crude oil: US Waiver For India

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter): “President Trump’s energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded. To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil. This deliberately short-term measure will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government as it only authorizes transactions involving oil already stranded at sea.“India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully anticipate that New Delhi will ramp up purchases of US oil. This stop-gap measure will alleviate pressure caused by Iran’s attempt to take global energy hostage.”

How long does the waiver last? As per the Department of Treasury’s statement, “all transactions prohibited…that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Russian Federation origin loaded on any vessel..on or before 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, March 5, 2026 are authorized through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, April 4, 2026, provided that the delivery or offloading of such crude oil or petroleum products occurs at a port in India and the purchaser of such crude oil or petroleum products is an entity organised under the laws of India.”

Importance of Strait of Hormuz & India’s Strategic Reserves

The Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf is an extremely important passageway that allows for transit of merchandise and oil carrying ships. Most of the oil that goes through the Strait of Hormuz heads to Asia, with China and India as major beneficiaries. The Strait of Hormuz has not been officially closed according to Iran – however some tankers transiting through it have been attacked. Hence several ships remain stuck in the area with potential danger of being attacked.

As per estimates anywhere between 20-25% of the global oil makes its way through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is just 21 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point. The shipping lanes are even narrower – make the risk of going through it even higher in the current scenario.According to a PTI report, India is also seeking to secure marine cover from the US for vessels to ferry oil from the Middle East. The government has sought to quell fears of shortages saying that there are enough stocks to meet immediate needs. Oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that India’s crude stocks can last 25 days and petrol and diesel stocks can last another 25 days. This is apart from the volume that is available in strategic reserves. This takes the cover to around 8 weeks.“We are in a comfortable position right now,” a government official has said. Additionally, while oil flows from the Middle East are currently stuck, those from West Africa, Latin America and the US continue.

What US waiver means for India

A Bloomberg report had already suggested that vessels carrying Russian crude were diverted early this week and had started docking at Indian ports. Around 15 million barrels of crude oil are within easy reach for India, allowing for immediate purchases. Another report by Reuters says that Indian refiners are buying millions of barrels of spot Russian crude that is immediately available.According to Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst, Refining and Modelling at Kpler, with nearly 50% of India’s crude imports transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the country remains highly exposed to potential supply disruptions.“The US waiver allowing additional purchases of Russian crude over baseload offers short-term relief, though competition from Chinese buyers for the same barrels could limit the extent of India’s benefit,” Ritolia said.Since the start of the crisis last weekend, Kpler a global real-time data and analytics provider has been saying that India can easily pick up readily available Russian oil on the sea.

Ritolia is of the view that the waiver by the Trump administration does not fundamentally change India’s structural exposure to Middle Eastern supply flows.“Indian refiners had already been importing around 1 mbd of Russian crude in recent months, meaning the waiver effectively acts as a green signal to lift volumes above this base load, particularly for cargoes currently delayed across key shipping routes, he explains.As of early March, approximately 145 million barrels of Russian crude remain on the water, including significant volumes across the Indian Ocean, Red Sea/Suez routes, and around Singapore, which could potentially be redirected toward Indian ports if commercial deals are finalised, says Kpler.“With the waiver now in place, refiners could quickly resume purchases, potentially pushing Russian inflows around 1.6 to 2 mbd in the near term. While this provides a short-term logistical buffer, it cannot fully offset India’s almost 2.6 mbd exposure to Middle Eastern crude, and competition from Chinese buyers for the same Russian barrels will limit the upside,” Ritolia adds.

Kpler says that for Indian refiners, renewed access to Russian crude would support feedstock security and margins. “In the near term, refiners are likely to prioritise domestic fuel availability and comfortable stock levels, meaning the increase in crude availability may not immediately translate into higher product exports. Export flows would likely rise only once domestic requirements are satisfied,” it says.“From a market perspective, the policy shift could also tighten the availability of Russian export barrels globally. As Indian refiners re-enter the market for these grades, the deep discounts previously associated with Russian crude could narrow significantly, and prompt cargoes may even trade at premiums if competition for available barrels intensifies,” Ritolia concludes.Sourav Mitra, Partner – Oil & Gas, Grant Thornton Bharat is of the view that if commercial deals are firmed up, about 145 million barrels of Russian crude which remain on the water could sail towards the Indian coast. “Indian refiners are already in discussions with traders to gobble up this supply. This stopgap approval will sooth India’s energy supply concerns as about half of India’s crude oil imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz,” he says.It is noteworthy that while India’s Russian oil imports dipped to 21% in January, it had already been on the up move in February, which saw Russian oil imports hitting the 30% mark, he says.Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Russian Urals have become pricier and are said to be sold to Indian buyers at a premium of about $5/barrel as against a discount of $13/barrel offered in February. China could also be looking to purchase Russian Urals considering it heavily relies on the West Asian crude oil supplies as well.” he adds.Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) founder Ajay Srivastava says the wording of the order may mean that the Russian oil available on sea may not come under the waiver!

“The wording indicates that the authorization applies to oil loaded after March 5, rather than cargoes that were already “stranded at sea.” The Treasury Secretary’s statement suggests the waiver covers only cargoes already in transit. The Treasury order permits transactions involving oil loaded after March 5. Thus, the official regulatory language and the public explanation refer to two different categories of oil shipments, creating confusion for refiners, traders, insurers and shipping companies,” he says.Also, the GTRI founder is of the view that the time period for the waiver makes it ineffective. “If Russian oil cargoes are loaded after March 5, as permitted under the Treasury order, most shipments would arrive in India only after the April 14 deadline. In other words, the waiver period is shorter than the time required to physically transport the oil,” he notes.

Brent crude prices have surged 16.4% this week since the start of the US-Iran war and are set for the steepest weekly climb since the Russia-Ukraine war started. The rising crude oil prices also has implications for India.As Amitabh Kant, the former CEO of Niti Aayog pointed out: Every $10 per barrel rise in crude prices can add $13-14 billion to India’s annual import bill, widen the current account deficit and pressure the rupee.The immediate availability of Russian crude may hence not only help meet supply needs, but also help keep India’s crude oil bill somewhat in check.

West Indies have found themselves in an unusual situation after their campaign ended in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Several players and support staff remain stuck in India due to major flight disruptions caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Amid the uncertainty, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein lightened the mood with a humorous social media post in which he jokingly asked football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to ‘rescue’ him.

Star spinner’s humorous plea goes viral

With travel plans uncertain and the team waiting for updates, Hosein took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration in a light-hearted way. In his post, the spinner jokingly tagged Portuguese football icon Ronaldo and wrote that he might be “better off asking” the global star to come and rescue him.

The message quickly grabbed attention among fans, who found humor in the situation despite the circumstances surrounding the team’s delayed return.

“At this point, Im better off asking @Cristiano to send the 🛫 and come rescue me yes..” wrote Hosein on X.

At this point, Im better off asking @Cristiano to send the 🛫 and come rescue me yes.. 😕

— Akeal Hosein (@AHosein21) March 6, 2026

Notably, West Indies squad had remained in India for several days after their elimination from the T20 World Cup, with multiple international flights affected by regional airspace restrictions. Those restrictions were triggered by escalating military tensions in the Middle East, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute flights that usually pass through Gulf transit hubs.

Not to mention, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy had earlier expressed genuine frustration over the lack of clarity regarding the team’s travel arrangements. Sammy wrote on social media that he simply wanted to return home after days of waiting in India. In another post, he asked authorities for at least an update on when the squad would be able to depart.

Also READ: Brendon McCullum reveals ‘defining factor’ behind England’s narrow defeat to India in T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final

A promising campaign that ended in heartbreak

Before the travel chaos unfolded, the West Indies had produced an exciting campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026. The Caribbean side dominated the group stage with four consecutive victories, including a strong win over England.

They carried that momentum into the Super Eight stage and even posted one of the highest totals in tournament history with 254/6 against Zimbabwe. Shimron Hetmyer was among the standout performers, smashing a record number of sixes during the tournament.

However, the Windies’ dream of a third T20 World Cup title came to an end in a tense Super Eight clash against co-hosts India at Eden Gardens. Despite posting a competitive 195/4, they lost by five wickets with just four balls remaining.

Also READ: Fans go wild as Sanju Samson’s blazing knock powers India into T20 World Cup 2026 final after thrilling win over England

West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein took to social media to express frustration over the team’s delayed return from India after their exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup, even jokingly asking football star Cristiano Ronaldo to “rescue” him. International travel has been disrupted since tensions escalated following the conflict involving the USA, Israel and Iran, leading to flight cancellations and heightened alerts at several airports in West Asia.After their T20 World Cup campaign ended in the subcontinent, the West Indies players and support staff have faced difficulties travelling back home because of cancelled flights linked to the situation in West Asia. The development came despite Cricket West Indies (CWI) stating on Thursday that it was working to arrange a charter flight for the squad that could take them home within 24 hours.“At this point, I’m better off asking Cristiano Ronaldo to send the jet and come rescue me, yes?” Hosein said on X.

The Caribbean side has been in Kolkata since their tournament ended with a five-wicket defeat to India at Eden Gardens last Sunday. Earlier on Thursday, West Indies head coach Darren Sammy also sought clarity from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the team’s travel plans.Soon after, CWI issued a statement confirming that efforts were underway to arrange the team’s return.“During a high-level call earlier today involving CWI, ICC officials, a representative of team management, and a representative of the players, it was confirmed that a charter flight is currently being arranged for the team’s departure from India, with the expected departure scheduled within the next 24 hours,” the CWI said in a statement. The departure time remains subject to final air traffic approvals. The team remains safe and well as arrangements continue to be finalized,” the governing body added.“CWI has remained in constant dialogue with the players, team management, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) since their last match against India. While the situation remains complex and fluid due to international airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf region, CWI assures the public that every precaution is being taken to ensure the safe return of the team to the Caribbean,” said CWI.There is also a possibility that several players may not travel back immediately and could stay in India to join their respective franchises for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Colorado defensive back Shilo Sanders. ( Image via Getty Images)

A hallway confrontation from 2015 is still running Shilo Sanders’ life, and a federal judge just made sure it stays that way.On March 4, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Romero denied Sanders’ attempt to toss a lawsuit from the trustee overseeing his bankruptcy estate, keeping alive claims that he moved roughly $250,000 that should have gone to creditors.

Judge’s latest ruling keeps the bankruptcy law fight alive

Sanders filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2023 after a Texas court entered a default judgment of about $11.89 million against him. The judgment came out of a civil case brought by former school security guard John Darjean, who says Sanders assaulted him at a Dallas-area high school in 2015 and left him with permanent injuries.The bankruptcy case put Sanders’ finances under a microscope. Trustee David Wadsworth was appointed to track down assets that could be used to pay Darjean and other creditors. In October 2025, Wadsworth filed a complaint accusing Sanders of violating bankruptcy law by shifting money that should have been part of the estate.According to the filings, Wadsworth is targeting around $250,000 in alleged unauthorized transfers from Sanders’ Big 21 account, along with nearly $203,000 in payments linked to his Headache Gang brand and other NIL deals. The core question is simple: how much of that money legally belongs to Sanders, and how much should have been locked in for creditors once he went bankrupt.Sanders asked the court to dismiss the complaint. Romero refused. In his ruling, the judge stressed that he was not deciding the facts yet, only whether Wadsworth’s case was strong enough to move forward. “The Court’s role in deciding the Motion to Dismiss is not to resolve factual disputes or weigh potential evidence outside the four corners of the Complaint,” Romero wrote. He added that the trustee had “supported his claims with sufficient factual allegations regarding Sanders’ bank accounts, his NIL proceeds deposits into the Big 21 Account, and Sanders’ control over Big 21 and Headache Gang.”Romero closed the door on any quick escape. “Whether the evidence will ultimately substantiate the Trustee’s claims is a matter to be decided at trial.”

A 2015 hallway incident still controls Shilo Sanders’ future

All of this traces back to one day in September 2015. Darjean says a 15-year-old Sanders refused to hand over his phone, then assaulted him, leaving him with a broken neck, cervical spine damage, permanent neurological issues, and lifelong incontinence.Darjean sued Sanders and his parents in 2016. Deion and Pilar Sanders were later dropped from the case. Shilo did not appear when the lawsuit finally reached trial in 2022, which led the court to hit him with the $11.89 million default judgment. In 2024, Darjean made it clear he is not backing down, saying, “I will not relent until the truth is revealed and I receive my $12 million.”Bankruptcy was supposed to give Sanders a way out. Instead, it created two separate legal battles. One is the trustee’s case over those NIL and business transfers. The other is a trial set for Aug. 31 that will decide whether Sanders’ actions toward Darjean count as “willful and malicious” injuries.That August trial is critical. If the court decides the injuries were willful and malicious, the debt tied to Darjean would stick with Sanders. If not, he could discharge it and move on from the bankruptcy process entirely. The trustee’s complaint sits on top of that question, waiting for the answer.Meanwhile, his football career is stuck. Sanders went undrafted in 2025, then signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent. He flashed at times in preseason but ended that stint with an ejection after taking a swing at an opponent and has been waiting for another shot since.Colorado alum Matt McChesney has already floated a different path, saying on the Zero 2 Sixty podcast, “I’m not saying that in jest at all.” He added, “I’m 100% serious. Shilo doesn’t have a job, coaching, or playing… You can still make money on YouTube and be a college coach.”For now, though, the next move is not on a field or a sideline. It is in a courtroom, where a teenager’s decision in a school hallway is still deciding how much of Shilo Sanders’ future he actually owns.

India’s win over England in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 drew praise from former captain Kapil Dev, who singled out Jasprit Bumrah for his spell under pressure and called him the number one bowler in the world.India beat England in the semi-final in Mumbai to reach the final of the tournament. They will face New Zealand for the title on Sunday in Ahmedabad.

Kapil Dev hailed Bumrah’s performance in the match and said the pacer deserves respect for the way he delivers in crucial situations. He also praised wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for scoring back-to-back fifties in the tournament.Bumrah returned figures of 1 for 33 in four overs. While other Indian bowlers were attacked by England batters, Bumrah maintained control during his spell.“It was a victory for the game of cricket. I think he (Jasprit Bumrah) is the number one bowler in the world. The way he performs under pressure, he deserves to get respect. Sanju Samson played wonderful cricket in the last two games. The final match is remaining. Yes, individuals are important, but when a team plays, you witness victory,” Kapil Dev told the reporters, as cited by news agency ANI.India had earlier posted 253 for 7 after being asked to bat first. Samson led the scoring with 89 off 42 balls. England stayed in the chase for most of the match through Jacob Bethell’s century.The turning point came in the 18th over when Bumrah conceded only six runs. England needed 45 runs from the final three overs at the start of that over.Kapil Dev also praised the Indian team for the way they handled the semi-final.“It felt very good. I didn’t think the semifinal would be so difficult when [teams recently] have been scoring over 250, and after that, such excellent cricket was played. The Indian team won, and my congratulations to them. It was a lot of fun. And that fun didn’t just come from the bowlers’ side, but from the batsmen’s side as well,” Kapil Dev added.India now have a chance to achieve several milestones in the final against New Zealand. They are aiming to become the first host team to win the T20 World Cup, the first team to defend the title and the first side to win the tournament three times.India secured their place in the final after beating England in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

Russia has been providing Iran with real-time intelligence on the locations of American military assets in the Middle East, including warships and aircraft, potentially helping Tehran target US forces during the ongoing conflict, according to a report citing officials familiar with the intelligence.According to The Washington Post, three officials said Moscow has shared information on the locations of US warships, aircraft and other military assets since the war began on Saturday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.The assistance marks the first reported indication that another major US adversary may be indirectly involved in the conflict, which has rapidly escalated across the region.“It does seem like it’s a pretty comprehensive effort,” one of the officials told the newspaper.

Intelligence sharing and Iranian strikes

Officials said the extent of Russia’s targeting support was not fully clear, but noted that Iran’s own ability to track US forces had been degraded in the early days of the war.Analysts say the reported intelligence sharing could help explain the precision of some Iranian strikes on US-linked targets. Since the conflict began, Iran has launched thousands of one-way attack drones and hundreds of missiles toward US military positions, embassies and other targets in the region.One of the attacks on Sunday killed six US troops in Kuwait and injured several others when an Iranian drone struck a military facility.Dara Massicot, a Russia military expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said some of Iran’s strikes have targeted critical infrastructure such as radar systems.“Iran is making very precise hits on early warning radars or over-the-horizon radars,” she said. “They’re doing this in a very targeted way. They’re going after command and control.”The CIA station at the US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, was also struck in recent days.

Satellite capabilities and improved targeting

Experts say Russia’s advanced satellite capabilities could significantly improve Iran’s targeting ability.Iran has only a limited number of military-grade satellites and lacks its own satellite constellation, making imagery from Russia particularly valuable. Moscow has also refined its intelligence and targeting capabilities during the war in Ukraine.Nicole Grajewski of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, who studies Russia–Iran cooperation, said the quality of Iran’s retaliatory strikes appears to have improved.“They’re getting through air defenses,” she said, adding that the strikes showed a high degree of “sophistication” in the selection of targets and the ability to overwhelm some US and allied defence systems.

Washington response and China’s role

The CIA and the Pentagon declined to comment on the report.A White House spokeswoman, Anna Kelly, did not address the alleged Russian assistance but said the US campaign was weakening Iran’s military capabilities.“The Iranian regime is being absolutely crushed,” she said. “Their ballistic missile retaliation is decreasing every day, their navy is being wiped out, their production capacity is being demolished, and proxies are hardly putting up a fight.”US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this week that Russia and China were “not really a factor here” when asked about their possible involvement.Two officials cited in the report said China does not appear to be assisting Iran’s military response, despite close ties between the two countries.

Wider geopolitical context

Russia has publicly called for an end to the conflict, describing it as an “unprovoked act of armed aggression”. The Russian embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment from The Washington Post.The reported intelligence sharing also reflects the evolving dynamics among US adversaries. During the Ukraine war, Iran, China and North Korea have provided various forms of military or material support to Russia, while the United States has supplied Ukraine with weapons and intelligence to improve targeting of Russian forces.Iran has been a key partner for Moscow in that conflict, providing technology for low-cost one-way attack drones that Russia has used extensively against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.“The Russians are more than aware of the assistance that we’re giving the Ukrainians,” one of the officials told the newspaper. “I think they were very happy to try to get some payback.”Despite the reported intelligence support, analysts say Moscow is unlikely to directly enter the conflict as it remains heavily focused on the war in Ukraine.“The Kremlin is very much considering this is not their problem and not their war,” Massicot said, adding that from a strategic standpoint “Ukraine is still far and away the number one priority.”

India opener Sanju Samson has thrust himself into the centre of attention after a match-winning, unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in a virtual knockout clash. The calmness he exhibited in a tense chase turned the game on its head and handed India crucial momentum ahead of the semifinal against England.The innings also represents a dramatic turnaround in Samson’s tournament. Having started on the bench after losing his spot in the playing XI, he made full use of the opportunity when recalled for the Windies encounter. Under immense pressure in a chase exceeding 190, the right-hander silenced detractors with a composed and authoritative display that could prove pivotal to India’s campaign.

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis offered a detailed tactical view of Samson’s game, identifying a potential chink in his armour. While acknowledging Samson’s strength through the mid-wicket region, Du Plessis suggested that high pace, particularly well-directed short balls above 140 kmph, can trouble him.“That’s always been the one area where you feel, with Sanju, you can attack him (with short ball), and it’s with high pace. He’s very strong in the tummy area, where that backswing is just beautiful. But 140-plus, if you get it nice and high, you feel like there’s a little window where you can attack him. It’s a weakness. So there’s the evidence in England, so they’ll have the blueprint,” Du Plessis said on ESPNCricinfo.Recent matches have followed a similar script for Samson, with quality short-pitched bowling testing him. The trend resurfaced in the Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe, where Blessing Muzarabani removed him early by exploiting that very vulnerability.Expanding on his analysis, Du Plessis emphasised that Samson must now prepare for a barrage of short deliveries, especially against express quicks like Jofra Archer.“Sanju will know what’s coming, so for him now it’s – how do I counter it? What am I going to do when Archer comes short at me? Am I attacking it or are there other bowlers, where I can just play them a little bit better?” the former Proteas skipper added.

Bangladesh have unveiled a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan, set to take place in Dhaka starting March 11. The squad features a notable comeback for all-rounder Afif Hossain, who returns to the ODI setup after more than a year on the sidelines. Led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh will look to make the most of home conditions when they face Pakistan in what promises to be a competitive bilateral contest.

Afif Hossain makes long-awaited return to ODI setup

The biggest talking point from the squad announcement is the return of Afif, who last represented Bangladesh in ODIs in December 2024. The left-handed batter and handy off-spin option had been out of the national setup for a considerable period but has now earned another opportunity following consistent performances in domestic cricket.

Afif’s inclusion strengthens Bangladesh’s middle order, giving the team more flexibility with both bat and ball. Known for his ability to accelerate the scoring rate during the middle overs, the 25-year-old could play a key role against Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Core batting unit retained despite form concerns

Bangladesh have largely retained their core batting group from their previous ODI assignment against West Indies in October 2025. Litton Das, who has struggled to produce big scores in the format recently, has still been backed by the selectors. The team management appears to have shown faith in the experienced opener’s ability to rediscover his rhythm.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Tawhid Hridoy remain vital components of the batting lineup, while Soumya Sarkar and Saif Hassan provide additional options at the top of the order. Young opener Tanzid Hasan also keeps his place as Bangladesh continue to invest in emerging talent.

Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan has also retained his spot from the previous squad, signaling the selectors’ intention to maintain stability in the middle-order setup.

Injury setbacks rule out key players

Bangladesh will, however, be without a few players due to injuries and selection decisions. Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud is currently recovering from a tennis elbow issue, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib remains sidelined with a back injury. Both players are expected to regain full fitness by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Nurul Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik and Shamim Hossain have not been included in the squad. Their absence opens the door for others to step up and make an impact during the series.

Also READ: Fakhar Zaman to miss Pakistan’s ODI tour of Bangladesh – here’s the reason

Bowling attack led by Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman

Bangladesh’s pace attack will be spearheaded by Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, two of the side’s most experienced bowlers in the format. They will be supported by Shoriful Islam and rising pacer Nahid Rana, providing the hosts with multiple seam options.

Spin will continue to be a key weapon on Dhaka’s slow surfaces. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz will lead the spin department alongside Rishad Hossain and Tanvir Islam, giving Bangladesh a balanced bowling unit suited to home conditions.

All three matches of the ODI series will be played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The opening game will take place on March 11, followed by the second ODI on March 13 and the final match on March 15.

Bangladesh ODI squad for Pakistan series: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

Also READ: Bangladesh Cricket Board unveils central contracts for the 2026 season