What happened
According to Dawn, opening batter Saim Ayub has been released from Pakistan's national squad for the remainder of the ongoing One-day International (ODI) tri-series. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Monday that Ayub requested to step down to play domestic cricket in an effort to rebuild his form and confidence. Head coach Mike Hesson, the team management, and the national selection committee mutually agreed to accept his request. Right-handed opener Sahibzada Farhan has been named as Ayub's replacement for the rest of the tournament.
Key facts
- Saim Ayub experienced a difficult run during the tri-series, which included scoring six runs before being dismissed in Pakistan's one-wicket win over England at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
- Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi had previously noted the team's available selection options following inconsistent displays from the top order.
- Sahibzada Farhan returns to the ODI squad after missing original selection; he recently captained the national T20I team against Sri Lanka and led Pakistan at the Asian Games.
- In another recent roster move, 21-year-old batter Maaz Sadaqat was brought in as cover for minor injuries after left-arm spinner Sufiyan Moqim was released to domestic cricket due to the nature of the Lahore pitches.
- Regarding Ayub's return timeline or future selection plans, these are not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Why it matters
According to Dawn, the tri-series featuring Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka serves as preparation for next year's ODI World Cup. Pakistan has already qualified for the final after winning three consecutive matches. Their final group fixture against Sri Lanka on Tuesday at Gaddafi Stadium offers a final chance to review squad options before the tournament final on Oct 31 at the same location.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 26, 2026 · Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash