(Web Desk) - Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub have been ruled out of Pakistan’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia due to injuries, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the 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”.
The board added that both players are recovering under the supervision of the PCB medical panel and have been advised to continue their rehabilitation programs.
“Consequently, they have been ruled out of selection for the ODI series,” the PCB stated, wishing both players a speedy recovery and expressing hope for their early return to competitive cricket.
Further updates on squad changes and player fitness will be announced in due course, the statement added.
The ODI series will begin on May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second and third ODIs will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on June 2 and June 4, respectively, with all matches scheduled to start at 4:30 pm local time.
The series marks Australia’s return to Pakistan for a 50-over bilateral series since their 2022 tour, when Pakistan won 2–1. Earlier this year, Australia also toured Pakistan for a T20I series, where the hosts completed a 3–0 clean sweep in Lahore.