Pakistan’s top-order plans for the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against Australia have taken a hit, with opener Fakhar Zaman and fellow batter Saim Ayub ruled out due to injury concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday that both left-handers are currently unable to take part, with the tour set to kick off on May 30 in Rawalpindi. The remaining two ODIs are scheduled for June 2 and June 4 in Lahore.
In its official message, the PCB said the players are undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the board’s medical panel and have been advised to continue their recovery programmes. As a result, they will not be considered for selection for the ODI series. The board also wished both batters a swift return to full fitness, adding that further information on squad composition and player availability will be released in due course.
While the PCB did not provide detailed information on the nature of the injuries or the expected timelines for recovery, reports have pointed to a knee problem for Fakhar. Saim, meanwhile, has been dealing with an ankle issue that worsened during the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Fakhar’s fitness troubles are not entirely new. He has previously been affected by a persistent knee problem that has caused him to miss matches earlier in his career. For Saim, the ankle concerns extend back to January of last year, when he fractured his right ankle while fielding during the second Test against South Africa. After a prolonged spell out of action, the young batter only recently made his return to international cricket.
Both players’ recent form and availability have also been influenced by their injury setbacks. Saim endured a tough PSL season and subsequently found himself left out of Pakistan’s ODI squad for the Bangladesh series after the T20 World Cup. Fakhar was also not picked for that tour, which Pakistan eventually lost 2-1.
The last time both batters appeared in ODIs was during Pakistan’s home series against Sri Lanka in November 2025. With them unavailable for the Australia run, Sahibzada Farhan—who recently toured Bangladesh—is expected to keep his spot in the squad. Former captain Babar Azam is also under consideration as a possible option to partner at the top for the series.
