Pakistan faces significant setbacks before their upcoming ODI series against Australia, with openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman out due to injuries.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that both players will not be available for selection for the series starting on May 30. While the PCB did not specify the details of the injuries, they indicated that both players should continue their rehabilitation under the guidance of the PCB medical team.
Both players recently participated in the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Zaman played for Lahore Qalandars, while Ayub represented Hyderabad Kingsmen.
The 36-year-old Zaman was the third-highest run-scorer in the PSL, finishing with 401 runs in eight innings at an average of 57.28 and a strike rate of 151.89. He also scored one century and four fifties, hitting 48 boundaries and 12 sixes, with 65.83% of his runs coming from boundaries.
In contrast, Ayub was the most expensive Pakistani player in PSL 11, costing Hyderabad Kingsmen PKR 12.6 crore (around $450,000 USD). However, he struggled to meet expectations, accumulating only 258 runs over 13 innings with an average of 21.50 and a strike rate of 119.44, including one fifty.
Australia’s ODI Tour of Pakistan 2026
| Date | Match | Venue | Teams | Start Time (Local) | Start Time (GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, May 30, 2026 | 1st ODI | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | Pakistan vs Australia | 4:30 PM | 11:30 AM |
| Tue, Jun 2, 2026 | 2nd ODI | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Pakistan vs Australia | 4:30 PM | 11:30 AM |
| Thu, Jun 4, 2026 | 3rd ODI | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Pakistan vs Australia | 4:30 PM | 11:30 AM |