Afif Hossain is set to return to international cricket after a lengthy absence, with the middle order batter set to be selected for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan.

A BCB source working closely with the national selection panel confirmed the development to Cricbuzz on Wednesday as the 15-member squad was finalised by the selectors for the series, scheduled to begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from March 11.

Pakistan, who are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on March 9, will play the second and third ODIs at the same venue on March 13 and 15 respectively.

Afif last played an ODI for Bangladesh against West Indies in December 2024 and was subsequently out of the national set-up. His recent domestic performances, however, forced the national selectors to reconsider and hand him an opportunity to stake a claim for a comeback after his performances in the recently concluded Bangladesh Cricket League one-day competition as well as the Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup.

Afif, who scored 205 runs in 12 innings in the last Bangladesh Premier League at a strike rate of 121, impressed the selectors in the Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup, scoring an unbeaten 60 off 36 balls for Durbar XI against Dhumketu XI. He followed it up with a century for South Zone in the BCL.

Bangladesh are looking for consistency in the middle order, and Afif's ability to bowl a few overs also worked in his favour as far as a return to the set-up is concerned.

"In the late-order national selection panel wanted a left-hander and Afif seems to have fit the bill considering his recent form in domestic cricket and now selectors are hoping he translates his domestic form to the international stage," said the source.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali is expected to be dropped from the series as the team management is keen to bring Litton Kumar Das back into the ODI set-up.

Litton's batting position is under discussion at this point, considering that some inside the management circle feel that playing him at number five instead of in the top three might suit the team better.

Meanwhile, a Bangladesh Cricket Board official said on Wednesday that the national team will play a practice game against Bangladesh A on March 7 as part of their preparation for the Pakistan series. The preparation camp is scheduled to start on March 6, and the national team will play Bangladesh A the following day.