Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming ODI series against Australia have suffered a major setback after opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were ruled out due to injuries, leaving a big gap at the top of the batting order.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday that both players are currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the board’s medical panel and will not be available for selection in the three-match ODI series against Australia national cricket team.
In its official statement, the board expressed best wishes for the injured batters, stating that updates on squad changes and player fitness will be shared in due course. The series is scheduled to begin on May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the remaining two matches will be played in Lahore on June 2 and June 4.
The absence of Saim Ayub is particularly disappointing for Pakistan, as the young left-hander has quickly established himself as one of the most promising openers in modern ODI cricket. Since his debut in 2024, he has scored 751 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 46.93 and a strike rate of 100, including three centuries and three half-centuries.
Veteran opener Fakhar Zaman’s injury further compounds Pakistan’s problems at the top. Since his debut in 2017, Fakhar has been one of the most consistent ODI performers for Pakistan, accumulating 3,861 runs in 92 matches at an average of 45.42, with 11 centuries and 19 fifties to his name.
Cricket Australia, meanwhile, has opted for a bold and experimental approach for the tour. The selectors have rested several senior stars, including regular captain Pat Cummins, as well as pace spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
The Australian side will be led by Mitchell Marsh, with exciting new names such as Oliver Peake and Liam Scott earning maiden international call-ups. Established players like Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne also feature in a balanced squad aimed at testing depth ahead of future assignments.
With Pakistan forced to reshuffle their top order, the upcoming series promises an intriguing battle between an under-pressure home side and an experimental but dangerous Australian unit.
Australia ODI squad for Pakistan series
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake and Adam Zampa.
