Key Takeaways
- Pakistan Cricket Board releases Sufiyan Moqim from One-day International tri-series squad.
- Maaz Sadaqat added as cover for players with minor injuries.
- Squad shifts to Gaddafi Stadium after Rawalpindi matches.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Moqim from the national men’s squad for the ongoing One-day International tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka, citing the nature of the pitches in Lahore.
In a brief statement, the PCB explained that Sufiyan’s release was due to the nature of the pitches in Lahore, and he will return to domestic cricket.
Meanwhile, left-handed batter Maaz Sadaqat has been added as cover for players with minor niggles, following his impressive performances in recent matches.
The tri-series, which began in Rawalpindi, has now shifted to the Gaddafi Stadium, where Pakistan have won both their league games so far, defeating Sri Lanka by 37 runs and England by 87.
Pakistan face England again in Lahore on Sunday, with the pitches in Rawalpindi generally favouring pace, limiting opportunities for specialist spinners like Sufiyan.
Sufiyan, who hails from Azad Kashmir, has represented Pakistan in limited-overs cricket since making his T20I debut in 2023. He is best known for his record-equalling figures of five for three against Zimbabwe in a T20 International and was named Player of the Tournament in the 2026 Pakistan Super League while playing for Peshawar Zalmi.
In ODIs, he has taken eight wickets in four matches. Maaz, 21, has attracted attention with his aggressive batting. The Peshawar-born left-hander made an immediate impact on his ODI debut against Bangladesh earlier this year and recently impressed in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, scoring consecutive half-centuries, including a blistering 96 off 51 balls that helped Pakistan post their highest T20I total at home.
Maaz had initially been left out of the tri-series squad but has now been added as cover. The updated squad, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, now includes Maaz as Pakistan continue their campaign in Lahore ahead of the final on Oct 31 at the same venue.
