Bad News for Pakistan! Fakhar Zaman and THIS star player RULED out of PAK vs AUS ODI series

The three-match PAK vs AUS ODI series is all set to begin on May 30.

Pakistan had a disastrous end to the two-match Test series in Bangladesh, and they were whitewashed by the hosts for the second time in a row. Now, the Men in Green will be back home for a high-profile ODI series against Australia.

They will host Australia for three ODIs, starting on May 30 in Rawalpindi. Australia have announced a second-string squad for the series with new faces getting their maiden call-ups. Mitchell Marsh will be leading the visitors, which have Ollie Peake, Liam Scott, and Joel Davies making their maiden appearances.

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood aren’t available because of their IPL commitments. Hence, Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake will be making their ODI comebacks.

Pakistan beat Australia in the T20I series earlier this year and will be hoping for a better show in the coming series. However, with a few days left for the start of the ODI series, Pakistan suffered major blows with the unavailability of the opening duo.

Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub to miss the PAK vs AUS ODIs

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have confirmed that star opener Fakhar Zaman and all-rounder Saim Ayub won’t be available for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. These two stars have yet to recover from their injuries and are under the supervision of the medical team.

The PCB said in a statement:

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that both players are currently recovering from injuries and have been advised to continue their rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the PCB medical panel. Consequently, they have been ruled out of selection for the ODI series.”

The PCB have not announced the squad for the ODIs. Without Fakhar and Saim, the hosts have to find another pair of openers. Sahibzada Farhan, who has proved his worth in the shorter format, can be a contender, having played the ODI series in Bangladesh though he didn’t have a great start, scoring 64 runs in three innings.

But he had a great PSL 2026. Babar Azam is another reliable option for Pakistan at the top, having finished the PSL 2026 as the top scorer. The ODI series will see the first ODI in Rawalpindi on May 30. The next two games will be held in Lahore on June 2 and 4, respectively.

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