Saim Ayub released from Pakistan tri-series squad; Farhan named

Saim Ayub has been released from Pakistan’s squad for the rest of the ODI tri-series, with Sahibzada Farhan named as his replacement. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced the move on Monday and said the opener had asked to be released so he could work on his batting.

Ayub had a difficult run in the tournament. His last innings, a six-run dismissal, came in Pakistan’s one-wicket win over England at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

The details

Farhan, a right-handed opener, will stay with the squad for the remainder of the tournament. He was named captain for the T20I series against Sri Lanka earlier this month and also led Pakistan at the Asian Games.

Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat, 21, was added earlier as cover and remains in the squad alongside Farhan. The PCB statement did not say how long Ayub would play domestic cricket, and it gave no details of future selection plans.

Sunday’s win came after an early top-order collapse in the chase. Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 and a last-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf then got Pakistan home.

Recent form

Pakistan have won both of their tri-series matches so far. They beat England by 87 runs on 20 October, scoring 302/9, and then by one wicket on 25 October, finishing on 243/9 in 47.1 overs against England’s 241.

In between, Sri Lanka beat England by 2 wickets on 22 October. England made 429/4 and Sri Lanka replied with 430/8 in 49.5 overs.

What’s next

Pakistan play Sri Lanka in match 5 of the tri-series on Tuesday, 27 October, at 2:00 PM IST. England meet Sri Lanka in match 6 on Thursday, 29 October, at 2:00 PM IST.

Pakistan then host Sri Lanka in a two-Test series, with the first Test on Monday, 9 November, at 10:30 AM IST.