LAHORE: Pakistan have recalled top-order batter Sahibzada Farhan to replace struggling batting all-rounder Saim Ayub for the remainder of the ongoing home ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday.
The change comes after Ayub requested permission to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting form and regain confidence following a prolonged lean patch in the 50-over format.
Pakistan have released Saim Ayub from their ODI Sqaud. Maaz Sadaqat and Fakhar Zaman likely to open the innings in the remainder of the Tri-Series.
#Cricket
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) October 26, 2026
Saim Ayub seeks domestic cricket return
According to the PCB, Ayub discussed his recent struggles with head coach Mike Hesson and expressed his desire to improve his batting through domestic cricket. The team management and national selection committee mutually agreed to accept his request, appreciating his honest assessment of his form.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released Saim Ayub from the ODI squad for the remainder of the ongoing tri-nation series after he requested a return to domestic cricket to work on his batting form and regain confidence. Sahibzada Farhan has been named as his replacement. Pakistan, having secured three consecutive wins and qualified for the final, will face Sri Lanka in the fifth match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, 27 October.
#SaimAyub #SahibzadaFarhan #PakistanCricket #PAKvSL #PakistanTV
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) October 26, 2026
“After a conversation with the head coach, Saim requested a desire to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting form and regain confidence,” the PCB said in a statement.
Ayub has struggled to produce substantial scores in ODIs, with his last half-century coming against South Africa in November last year. Since then, he has scored just 60 runs in five innings at an average of 12.
Read Also: Shadab, Haris Set World Record for Highest 10th-Wicket Partnership in Successful ODI Chase
The left-handed batter also endured a difficult start to the ongoing tri-series, registering scores of seven, eight and six in his three innings.
His departure comes despite Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi previously ruling out the possibility of dropping the batting all-rounder ahead of the team’s second match against England.
Pakistan make a change to their ODI squad as Saim Ayub is released for the remainder of the tri-series. Sahibzada Farhan comes in as his replacement.
#PAKvsENG #ODI #SaimAyub #Pakistan #SahibzadaFarhan https://t.co/8vUEns0zUZ
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) October 26, 2026
Farhan returns as Pakistan prepare for Sri Lanka
The national selection committee subsequently named Farhan as Ayub’s replacement for the remainder of the tri-series.
Pakistan’s T20I captain has played six ODIs for the country, with his most recent appearance in the format coming during the away series against Bangladesh in March this year.
Read Also: Shaheen Backs Fakhar, Saim Despite Batting Slump, Hints at Farhan’s ODI Inclusion
The squad adjustment follows Pakistan’s dramatic one-wicket victory over England, which secured their place in the tri-series final. The hosts will face Sri Lanka in their final league-stage fixture at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday before the tournament concludes on October 31.
Updated Pakistan squad for ODI tri-series
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan and Maaz Sadaqat.
