# Saim Ayub leaves Pakistan's tri-series squad to fix his batting; Sahibzada Farhan replaces him

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/saim-ayub-leaves-pakistans-tri-series-squad-to-fix-his-batting-sahibzada-farhan)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 26 Oct 2026
Updated: 26 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 26 Oct 2026

> Saim asked to go back to domestic cricket after a run of low scores, and Sufiyan Moqim has been released too. Pakistan play Sri Lanka in Lahore on Tuesday before the 31 October final.

**Saim Ayub** has been released from Pakistan's squad for the rest of the ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Monday. The opener asked head coach **Mike Hesson** to let him return to domestic cricket to work on his batting and regain confidence, and the team management and selectors agreed. Opener **Sahibzada Farhan** replaces him.

The PCB said it respected "Saim's decision" and appreciated "his honest assessment of his current form", [Dawn reported](https://www.dawn.com/news/2039933/saim-ayub-released-from-pakistan-tri-series-squad-to-work-on-batting-form-sahibzada-farhan-named-replacement). It gave no timeline for his return.

## Why Saim stepped aside

Saim made **6** in Sunday's one-wicket win over England at the Gaddafi Stadium, part of a top-order collapse that left Pakistan needing [Shadab Khan's 113 not out and a record last-wicket stand](/news/cricket/shadab-khans-113-not-out-and-a-record-89-run-last-wicket-stand-take-pakistan) to get home. Captain **Shaheen Shah Afridi** had already spoken before that match about the inconsistent returns from the openers.

## The other changes

- **Sahibzada Farhan** comes in. He was left out of the original tri-series squad but recently led Pakistan at the Asian Games and was named T20I captain for the Sri Lanka series.
- **Sufiyan Moqim**, the left-arm wrist spinner, has also been released to domestic cricket; the PCB cited the nature of the Lahore pitches.
- **Maaz Sadaqat**, the 21-year-old left-handed batter and part-time left-arm spinner, was added on Sunday as cover for players with minor niggles and stays with the squad.

## What is next for Pakistan

Pakistan are already through to the final after three straight wins.

| Match | Date | Venue |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (match 5) | Tuesday, 27 October | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Tri-series final | Saturday, 31 October | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |

The series is part of Pakistan's build-up to next year's ODI World Cup. More from the cricket desk: [latest cricket news](/news/cricket).

## Related

- [Saim Ayub: profile, career stats and latest scores](/news/cricket/saim-ayub-profile-stats-and-latest-scores)

## Frequently asked questions

**Why was Saim Ayub dropped from the tri-series?**

He was not dropped: the PCB said Saim Ayub asked to be released to play domestic cricket and work on his batting form, and the team management agreed. Sahibzada Farhan replaces him.

**When is the tri-series final?**

The final is on Saturday, 31 October 2026 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan have already qualified.

## Sources

- Saim Ayub released from Pakistan tri-series squad to work on batting form, Sahibzada Farhan named replacement (26 Oct 2026) (Dawn): https://www.dawn.com/news/2039933/saim-ayub-released-from-pakistan-tri-series-squad-to-work-on-batting-form-sahibzada-farhan-named-replacement

How to cite: "Saim Ayub leaves Pakistan's tri-series squad to fix his batting; Sahibzada Farhan replaces him", Searchable, 26 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/saim-ayub-leaves-pakistans-tri-series-squad-to-fix-his-batting-sahibzada-farhan