The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that opening batsmen Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub will miss the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia due to injuries. The series is scheduled to begin on May 30 in Rawalpindi, with subsequent matches on June 2 and June 4 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.
PCB Confirms Rehabilitation
In an official statement, the PCB announced that both left-handed batters are currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the board's medical panel. The statement read: "The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that both players are currently recovering from injuries and have been advised to continue their rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the PCB medical panel. Consequently, they have been ruled out of selection for the ODI series."
The board further added: "The PCB wishes both players a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing them return to competitive cricket at the earliest opportunity. Further updates regarding the squad and player fitness will be shared in due course."
Nature of Injuries
While the PCB did not disclose specific details about the injuries or recovery timelines, sources indicate that Fakhar Zaman is dealing with a chronic knee issue that has previously forced him to miss matches. Saim Ayub, on the other hand, has aggravated an ankle injury during the Pakistan Super League (PSL). His ankle concerns date back to January last year when he fractured his right ankle while fielding during the second Test against South Africa. The youngster only recently returned to international cricket after a lengthy recovery period.
Recent Form and Selection
Saim Ayub endured a disappointing PSL campaign and was left out of Pakistan's ODI squad for the Bangladesh series following the T20 World Cup. Fakhar Zaman was also not selected for that Bangladesh tour, which Pakistan lost 2-1. Both players last featured in ODIs during Pakistan's home series against Sri Lanka in November 2025.
With the duo unavailable, Sahibzada Farhan, who recently toured Bangladesh, is expected to retain his place in the squad. Former captain Babar Azam is also being considered as an opening option for the Australia series.
Impact on Pakistan's Batting Lineup
The absence of Fakhar and Saim leaves a significant void at the top of the order. Fakhar, known for his aggressive strokeplay, has been a mainstay in Pakistan's ODI setup, while Saim's emergence as a dynamic opener added depth. The team management will now look to alternatives such as Farhan and Babar to provide stability.
The PCB is expected to announce the final squad in the coming days, with further updates on player fitness to follow.
