Saim Ayub released from ODI squad at his own request
Sahibzada Farhan replaces the opener for the rest of the tri-nation series, with Pakistan already through to the final in Lahore.
Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been released from the national one-day squad for the rest of the ongoing tri-nation series, with the Pakistan Cricket Board saying the decision was taken at the player's own request.
Sahibzada Farhan, who captains the T20 side, has been added to the one-day squad in Ayub's place for the remaining matches of the series against England and Sri Lanka, the board said.
According to Independent Urdu, the PCB said Ayub asked to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting and rebuild his confidence after a conversation with the head coach. The report said the team management and the national selection committee accepted the request and respected his decision.
Aaj News carried the same account, attributing it to sources: the board approved Ayub's request to play domestic cricket, and both the team management and the selection committee respected his decision.
Independent Urdu reported that the move followed sustained criticism of Ayub's batting. The outlet said he has played 20 one-day internationals for Pakistan, scoring 772 runs in all, and that he made 21 runs in his last innings.
Aaj News put the same 21 runs against a different span, reporting that he managed only 21 runs across the first three matches of the tri-nation series. Neither figure could be independently confirmed, and the two outlets' accounts of his recent scores do not match.
The change does not affect Pakistan's position in the tournament. The team has won three matches in a row and has already qualified for the final, according to both reports.
Aaj News reported that in the fourth match of the series, a century from Shadab Khan helped Pakistan beat England by one wicket.
Pakistan next play Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the series on Tuesday, 27 October, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, according to both outlets.
Ayub's release leaves the selectors with Farhan as the batting cover for the remainder of the tournament. Farhan, who leads the T20 side, now joins the one-day group ahead of Tuesday's game and a final whose date and venue have not been stated in the reports.
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