Fakhar, Saim ruled out of Australia ODI series

Pakistan will be without Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub for the upcoming ODI series against Australia after the PCB ruled both openers out due to injury. The three-match series begins on May 30 in Rawalpindi.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will be without openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub for the upcoming one-day international series against Australia after the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday that both batters have been ruled out.

In an official statement, the PCB said the two players will not be considered for selection for the three-match ODI series, which is scheduled to start on May 30 during Australia’s tour of Pakistan.

The board said both cricketers are recovering from injuries and have been instructed to continue their rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.

"Opening batters will not be available for selection for the upcoming three-match ODI series […] scheduled to begin on 30 May during Australia’s tour of Pakistan. Consequently, they have been ruled out of selection for the ODI series. The PCB wishes both players a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing them return to competitive cricket at the earliest opportunity," the PCB said.

Series schedule

The ODI series will open on Saturday, May 30, with the first match set to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The remaining two fixtures are scheduled for Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and June 4. According to the details shared by the board, all three matches will begin at 4:30pm local time.

Australia return for 50-over assignment

The series will mark Australia’s first bilateral 50-over tour of Pakistan since 2022. On that occasion, Pakistan won the series 2-1.

Australia were also in Pakistan earlier this year for a T20I series in January and February, when the home side completed a 3-0 sweep in Lahore.

The PCB said further updates on the squad and on player fitness will be issued in due course.

The absence of Fakhar and Saim leaves Pakistan without two opening options ahead of the home series, with the board making clear that their immediate focus remains on recovery and rehabilitation. No replacement names were announced in the statement, with the PCB saying more information regarding the squad would be shared later.

Pakistan are due to begin the three-match contest at home at the end of May, with Rawalpindi hosting the opener before the action shifts to Lahore for the final two matches. The series forms part of Australia’s latest visit to Pakistan, following their recent T20I assignment and their previous ODI tour in 2022.