Pakistan opener Saim Ayub is scheduled to undergo a fitness assessment as he prepares to represent Karachi Blues in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2026-27. The 24-year-old left-handed batter has also been working on improving his batting technique ahead of his return to domestic cricket.
Ayub was released from Pakistan’s ODI squad on October 26 during the home tri-series against England and Sri Lanka. This decision followed a series of disappointing performances where Ayub scored just seven, eight, and six runs in his three appearances. Prior to that tournament, he had managed only 60 runs in his previous five ODI innings, averaging 12.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Ayub had requested to return to domestic cricket after discussions with head coach Mike Hesson to work on his batting form and regain confidence. The team management and national selection committee accepted his request, and Sahibzada Farhan was named as his replacement for the remainder of the ODI tri-series.
Ayub has been included in the Karachi Blues squad for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2026-27, where he will play under the captaincy of Saud Shakeel. Karachi Blues are the defending champions of the tournament and are competing in the eight-team Gold tier, which began on November 3.
