ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan will head into its upcoming ODI series against Australia without two of its frontline opening batters, as injuries have sidelined both Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Wednesday that the duo will miss the three-match series, which is set to begin on May 30.
According to the PCB, both players are still recovering from injuries and are currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the board’s medical panel. The statement added that medical experts advised the players to continue their recovery programmes, making them unavailable for selection for the Australia series.
The absence of Fakhar and Saim comes as a significant setback for Pakistan, particularly because both batters have been key figures at the top of the order in recent white-ball assignments. Their aggressive approach and ability to provide quick starts have often given Pakistan momentum in ODI cricket.
While the board did not specify the exact nature or timeline of their injuries, it expressed optimism about their return and wished both players a speedy recovery. The PCB also stated that further announcements regarding squad replacements and fitness updates would be shared soon.
Australia’s ODI tour of Pakistan will begin at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where the opening match is scheduled for May 30. The remaining two fixtures will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and June 4. All matches are set to start at 4:30pm local time.
The series is expected to draw significant attention, as it marks Australia’s first ODI assignment in Pakistan since their memorable 2022 tour. During that series, Pakistan secured a historic 2-1 victory over the visitors, producing one of their most celebrated ODI performances in recent years.
Pakistan also carry positive memories from Australia’s most recent visit earlier this year. In the T20I series held in January and February, the hosts dominated proceedings and completed a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash in Lahore.
With two specialist openers unavailable, the selectors now face the challenge of reshaping the batting combination ahead of an important home series. The upcoming matches could provide opportunities for reserve players to stake their claim in Pakistan’s ODI setup while the team management searches for stable replacements at the top of the order.
Despite the injury concerns, the series remains highly anticipated, with fans eager to see another competitive contest between the two cricketing rivals on Pakistani soil.
