The Pakistan Cricket Board declared on Monday, October 26, that Saim Ayub, the country’s opener, would not be playing in the remaining ODI tri-series. After speaking with head coach Mike Hesson, Saim Ayub asked to leave the team in order to return to domestic cricket and improve his batting form. The PCB confirmed that both the national selection committee and the team management approved of the request.
Saim Ayub has been released from the squad for the remainder of the ongoing ODI tri-series
To cover the void for the remainder of the competition, batsman Sahibzada Farhan has been brought in. Farhan has returned to the ODI lineup after being left out of Pakistan’s initial tri-series squad. The PCB said in a press release cited by Dawn, “The team management and national selection committee have mutually agreed to accept this request, respecting Saim Ayub’s decision and appreciating his honest assessment of his current form.”
Saim Ayub’s departure comes after a challenging period in the tri-series. He was dismissed for six runs during Pakistan’s one-wicket victory over England at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, which led to a top-order collapse that put the team in grave danger. Pakistan eventually won thanks to Shadab Khan’s undefeated 113 and an uninterrupted last-wicket stand with Haris Rauf. Prior to that game, Pakistan’s captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, had also acknowledged the team’s selection options in light of the inconsistent results from the top order.
Saim Ayub’s departure marks Pakistan’s second significant squad change in a short period of time. Maaz Sadaqat, a left-handed batter, was added to the group the day before Monday’s announcement to cover for players with minor physical complaints. That addition followed the dismissal of left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Moqim, which the PCB attributed to the nature of the pitches in Lahore. Sufiyan was told to go back to playing cricket at home.
The 21-year-old Maaz was left off of the initial tri-series roster. He continues to play alongside Farhan for the remainder of the competition and is also an occasional left-arm orthodox spinner.
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Pakistan now has an experienced opening option at the top of the order thanks to Farhan’s return to the ODI lineup. Despite not being in the original tri-series group, he was named captain of the national T20I team for the series against Sri Lanka earlier this month and led Pakistan at the Asian Games, demonstrating his standing in the white-ball structure.
After winning three straight games, Pakistan has already guarantyd their spot in the tri-series final. On Tuesday, they play their fifth league match at Gaddafi Stadium against Sri Lanka. The final is set for October 31 at the same location. Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka play each other in the tri-series as part of their preparations for the ODI World Cup the following year. Prior to the final, the team will have an opportunity to evaluate its available combinations in the league match against Sri Lanka.
