Saim Ayub released from Pakistan tri-series squad to work on batting form, Sahibzada Farhan named replacement

Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been released from the national squad for the remainder of the ongoing One-day International tri-series after requesting to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting form and regain confidence, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.

The PCB said the decision was taken after Saim spoke to head coach Mike Hesson, with the team management and national selection committee agreeing to his request.

“Respecting Saim’s decision and appreciating his honest assessment of his current form, the team management and national selection committee have mutually agreed to accept this request,” the board said in a press release.

Right-handed opener Sahibzada Farhan has been named as Saim’s replacement for the remainder of the tournament.

The decision comes after Saim endured a difficult run in the tri-series, including a six-run dismissal in Pakistan’s dramatic one-wicket victory over England at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

His early departure was part of a top-order collapse that left Pakistan struggling before Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 and an unbroken last-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf secured the win.

Concerns over Saim’s form had also been raised ahead of Sunday’s match, with Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi acknowledging the selection options available to the team amid inconsistent returns from the opening batters.

The PCB statement did not specify how long Saim would spend playing domestic cricket or provide details of any future selection plans.

The latest change follows the inclusion of left-handed batter Maaz Sadaqat in the squad a day earlier.

Maaz was added as cover for players carrying minor niggles after left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Moqim was released from the squad, with the PCB citing the nature of the Lahore pitches. Sufiyan was asked to return to domestic cricket.

Maaz, 21, had initially been left out of the tri-series squad. An occasional left-arm orthodox spinner, Maaz now remains part of the squad alongside Farhan for the remainder of the tri-series.

Farhan, meanwhile, returns to the ODI set-up after being left out of Pakistan’s original squad for the tri-series. He had been named captain of the national T20I side for the series against Sri Lanka earlier this month and led Pakistan at the Asian Games.

Pakistan have already qualified for the tri-series final after registering three consecutive victories. They will face Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the competition at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, with the final scheduled for Oct 31 at the same venue.

The ongoing tri-series, featuring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka, is part of the teams’ preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup.

Pakistan’s remaining league fixture against Sri Lanka will provide the team an opportunity to assess its options before the final.