opener Saim Ayub has left the national Men’s ODI side for the remainder of the ongoing tri-series against England and Sri Lanka so he can work on his batting in domestic cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the move was mutual after Ayub spoke with head coach Mike Hesson. Sahibzada Farhan has been named as his replacement.
Ayub, a left-hand opener, had not reached double figures in three innings in the tournament. Pakistan, by contrast, remain unbeaten and have already booked a place in Saturday’s final after three straight wins.
Why Ayub stepped aside
According to the PCB, Ayub asked to go back to domestic cricket in the short term to rebuild form and confidence. The board said the team management and the national selection committee respected that assessment and agreed to release him from the ODI squad for the rest of the series.
The board’s statement framed the decision as Ayub’s own request following his conversation with Hesson, not a sudden drop without discussion. That detail matters for fans following the camp presented the change as a shared choice aimed at helping the batter recover, while the side keeps its campaign on track.
Farhan called up as Pakistan play Sri Lanka in Lahore
Sahibzada Farhan joins the squad for the remaining matches. Pakistan next play Sri Lanka in the fifth game of the tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, 27 October. The home side will then prepare for Saturday’s final after sealing qualification with those three consecutive wins.
Shaheen Afridi continues as captain. The updated party also includes familiar names such as Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, alongside Farhan and the rest of the listed group.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Tri-series so far: Saim Ayub fails to reach double figures across three innings while Pakistan stay unbeaten.
- After three consecutive wins: Pakistan qualify for Saturday’s final of the tri-series.
- PCB confirmation: Ayub is released from the Men’s ODI squad for the remainder of the tournament after talks with coach Mike Hesson; he returns to domestic cricket to work on form.
- Same announcement: Sahibzada Farhan is named as Ayub’s replacement.
- Tuesday, 27 October: Pakistan face Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, in the fifth match of the series.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Saim Ayub ab ODI tri-series se nikal diye gaye hain kyunke unki form theek nahi chal rahi thi. Unhone khud coach se baat karke domestic cricket mein jaakar practice aur confidence recover karne ki darkhwast ki. Unki jagah Sahibzada Farhan squad mein shamil ho gaye hain. Pakistan mangalwaar ko Lahore mein Sri Lanka se khelenge aur final ke liye pehle hi qualify kar chuke hain.
