Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub Miss Pakistan’s ODI Series Against Australia
The PCB has ruled Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub out of the three-match ODI series against Australia as both continue injury rehabilitation.
By SportCricket Desk · 20 May 2026 · 2 min read
Pakistan will be without openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub for their ODI series against Australia, with both players still recovering from injury.
PCB statement
Both are rehabilitating under the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical team and will not be considered for selection for the series, which starts later this month. The PCB said they have been advised to continue their rehab programmes under medical supervision.
Selection questions
The squad for the three-match series has not been announced, leaving selectors with decisions to make at the top of the order. In-form Sahibzada Farhan is a possible replacement after a strong Pakistan Super League, in which he scored 380 runs at an average of 42.22.
Former captain Babar Azam is also expected to come back into the ODI side after his PSL campaign, in which he made 580 runs and led Peshawar Zalmi to the title.
Opposition and schedule
Pakistan arrive after losing an ODI series 2-1 to Bangladesh. Australia are expected to be without several senior pacers, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, as well as Travis Head. Mitchell Marsh is due to lead a largely rotated group that includes Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis and Adam Zampa.
The series opens on Saturday, May 30, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the other two matches to be played in Lahore.
