The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released opener Saim Ayub from the national One-day International (ODI) squad for the rest of the ongoing tri-series involving Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka. Right-handed opener Sahibzada Farhan has been named as his replacement for the remaining matches.
The board said on Monday that the decision followed the batter’s own request to go back to domestic cricket so he can work on his batting form and regain confidence.
Why the opener stepped aside
Ayub discussed his situation with head coach Mike Hesson before asking to leave. The team management and the national selection committee accepted the request. In a press release, the PCB said it was respecting his decision and appreciating his honest assessment of his current form.
The left-hander has struggled with the bat in the tournament, scoring 21 runs in three matches: seven against Sri Lanka in the opening game, then eight and six against England. His six-run dismissal on Sunday came during a top-order collapse in Pakistan’s dramatic one-wicket win over England at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, before Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 and an unbroken last-wicket stand of 89 with Haris Rauf sealed the result.
Ahead of that match, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi had acknowledged the selection options available amid inconsistent returns from the opening batters. The PCB statement did not say how long Ayub would spend in domestic cricket or outline later selection plans.
Farhan returns after earlier squad tweak
Farhan rejoins the ODI set-up after being left out of Pakistan’s original squad for the tri-series. He recently captained the national T20I side in a three-match series against Sri Lanka and has also led Pakistan at the Asian Games.
The latest change follows another adjustment on Sunday, when left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was released to play domestic cricket, with the board citing the nature of the pitches at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Batter Maaz Sadaqat, 21, was then added as cover for players carrying minor fitness concerns. An occasional left-arm orthodox spinner, Maaz had initially been left out of the tri-series party and now remains in the squad alongside Farhan.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Sunday: Sufiyan Muqeem released for domestic cricket; Maaz Sadaqat added as cover. Pakistan beat England by one wicket in Lahore.
- Monday: PCB releases Saim Ayub at his request; Sahibzada Farhan named as replacement.
- Tuesday, October 27: Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
- October 31: Tri-series final scheduled at the same venue.
What comes next in Lahore
Pakistan have already secured a place in the final after three consecutive victories. The Shaheen Shah Afridi-led side’s remaining league fixture against Sri Lanka on Tuesday offers another chance to assess batting options before the final. The seven-match ODI event is part of the teams’ preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Saim Ayub ne khud kaha ke woh domestic cricket mein ja kar batting form theek karna chahte hain. PCB ne unhein baqi ODI matches ke liye squad se release kar diya hai. Unki jagah Sahibzada Farhan aa gaye hain. Pakistan agla match Sri Lanka ke khilaf 27 October ko Lahore mein khelega, aur final 31 October ko hai.
