LAHORE: Star Pakistan opener Saim Ayub is likely to be left out of the squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia, scheduled from May 30 to June 4, according to sources.
The development comes as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prepares a broader long-term training structure involving a pool of 38 players for an extended four-month development programme aimed at upcoming international assignments.
Sources indicate that the programme will include both white-ball and red-ball cricketers, with players to be rotated in and out of national duties based on series requirements and workload management.
The initiative is expected to focus heavily on fitness, skill development, and format-specific training, with players remaining in contention for selection across all formats during the period.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Saim’s name was missing from the recently announced 28-member white-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) ahead of the Australia series, further strengthening reports that he is set to miss the home ODI assignment.
Despite his exclusion, the left-handed batter has been one of Pakistan’s most productive ODI performers in recent years.
He has scored 751 runs in 17 ODI appearances at an average of 46.93 and a strike rate of 100, including three centuries and three half-centuries.
However, his recent form has shown a dip, with 236 runs in his last eight ODIs at an average of 29.50, featuring two fifties.
READ: Saud Shakeel, Noman Ali suffer decline in ICC Test rankings