The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed opening batter Saim Ayub from the national ODI squad for the rest of the tri-nation series featuring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka, and has named Sahibzada Farhan as his replacement.
Ayub asked to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting form and confidence, a request he discussed with head coach Mike Hesson before the board approved it, according to the PCB.
His recent scores have been poor, with only 21 runs from three matches - seven against Sri Lanka in the opener, followed by eight and six versus England.
Farhan, who recently led Pakistan in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, joins the ODI squad for the remaining fixtures.
This move follows a previous change on Sunday when the PCB released left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem to play domestic cricket, citing conditions at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Young batter Maaz Sadaqat was then added as cover for players with minor fitness concerns.
Pakistan has already booked a spot in the tri-series final after winning its first three games, the latest a one-wicket victory over England on Sunday, where Shadab Khan scored an unbeaten 113 and partnered with Haris Rauf for an 89-run last-wicket stand in Lahore.
The Shaheen Shah Afridi-led side will meet Sri Lanka in the fifth match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Tuesday, October 27.
The seven-match ODI tri-series final is set for October 31 at the same venue.
