Saim Ayub exits tri-series squad; Sahibzada Farhan called up

Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been released from the national squad for the remainder of the ongoing ODI tri-series, with Sahibzada Farhan selected as his replacement. Saim requested an opportunity to return to domestic cricket so he could address his batting form and rebuild confidence.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said Saim discussed the matter with head coach Mike Hesson before the team management and national selection committee jointly accepted his request. The decision was presented as a response to the opener’s own assessment of his recent performances rather than an injury-enforced withdrawal.

Saim endured a difficult run during the tournament and was dismissed for six in Pakistan’s dramatic one-wicket victory over England at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. His early departure contributed to a top-order collapse that left the hosts struggling before Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 and Haris Rauf’s resistance produced a record final-wicket recovery.

The board said it respected Saim’s decision and appreciated his candid evaluation of his current form. However, it did not specify how long he would remain in domestic cricket, which competition he would join or what performance benchmarks might determine his return to the national side.

Sahibzada Farhan, a right-handed opening batter, will join the squad for the remaining tri-series matches. Farhan recently captained Pakistan’s T20 international side against Sri Lanka and also led the national team at the Asian Games, but he had not been included in the original ODI squad for the tournament.

The replacement adds another option to an opening group that has struggled to deliver consistent starts. Pakistan’s lower and middle order have repeatedly been required to rebuild innings during the competition, making the composition and form of the top order an important selection issue before the final.

The squad had already undergone another adjustment when left-handed batter Maaz Sadaqat was added as cover for players carrying minor fitness concerns. Left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Moqim was released to return to domestic cricket after the management assessed the conditions offered by the Lahore pitches.

Pakistan have secured their place in the tri-series final after winning three consecutive matches. They are scheduled to face Sri Lanka in their remaining league fixture at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, while the tournament final will be staged at the same venue on October 31.

The Sri Lanka match gives the management an opportunity to test Farhan or other available combinations without qualification pressure. Saim’s next challenge will be to translate his return to domestic competition into sustained runs, with any international recall likely to depend on improved form and the selectors’ plans ahead of future ODI assignments.