The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released opener Saim Ayub from Pakistan's squad for the remainder of the home ODI tri-series, after the 24-year-old asked to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting form and regain confidence. The board announced the decision on Monday, 26 October 2026, saying Ayub made the request after a conversation with head coach Mike Hesson, and that the team management and national selection committee mutually agreed to accept it.

Ayub has managed only 21 runs in three innings in the tri-series against England and Sri Lanka, with scores of six, eight and seven. His struggles in the format have lasted longer than this tournament: he last scored a one-day half-century against South Africa in November last year, and has since managed 60 runs in five innings in the format. Across all three formats in 2026, he averages 16.55 in 19 matches for Pakistan, with only one score above fifty, against Australia in February.

Farhan called up as Pakistan eye the final

Sahibzada Farhan has been named as Ayub's replacement for the rest of the series. Farhan, the newly appointed T20I captain, was originally not picked in the ODI tri-series squad. Pakistan have already qualified for the final after winning their first three matches, including a one-wicket win over England in Lahore on Sunday, and will face Sri Lanka in their final league match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, 27 October, before the final on 31 October. The change gives the team management a chance to test a different opening combination before the title match, while Ayub gets time away from international cricket to rebuild his form.