Pakistan grant Saim Ayub's request to leave ODI squad mid-tri-series

Saim Ayub has been released from Pakistan's ODI squad for the remainder of the ongoing tri-series. In a press release, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Ayub spoke with head coach Mike Hesson and expressed a desire to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting and regain confidence.

Ayub has endured a lean run of form in the tri-series, managing scores of 7, 8 and 6 in his three innings. His struggles extend beyond the ODI competition, having registered scores of 21, 29 and 8 in three T20I innings against Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka before the start of the tri-series.

The PCB men's national selection committee has named Sahibzada Farhan as Ayub's replacement in the squad. Farhan has aggregated 101 runs in six ODIs at an average of 16.83 and a strike rate of 75.93. He recently captained Pakistan to a T20I series win over Sri Lanka at home.

Pakistan have already secured a place in the final after registering three consecutive victories. They will next face Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the tri-series at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, October 27.

More to follow............