KARACHI: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is likely to miss the three-match ODI series against Australia in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Pakistan have suffered a major setback ahead of the series with openers Saim Ayub and Faqar Zaman ruled out due to injury.
Reports suggest that the selection committee is working in consultation with head coach Mike Hesson and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi as they finalize the squad for the series, while the former skipper’s inclusion is unlikely.
Reports further suggested that Hesson was not in favor of Rizwan’s inclusion in the ODI set-up following the results of the T20 format, indicating a possible change in Pakistan’s white-ball direction, and he was also not considered in plans for next year’s ODI World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The 33-year-old has played 103 ODIs for Pakistan and has scored 2,979 runs at an average of 40.08, including four centuries and 19 fifties.
Behind the wicket he has taken 113 catches and 7 stumpings in March 2026 during a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh where he scored 58 runs.
Meanwhile, unbeaten batsman Khasi Cory, who made his ODI debut as a specialist batsman in the third match against Bangladesh on March 15, is being considered for retention in the squad for the home ODI series in Australia.
The selectors are said to be weighing up the options of Usman Khan and Mirza Saad Baig for the post of second wicketkeeper.
Notably, Australia is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on May 23, while the Pakistan team will begin training in Rawalpindi on May 22 and play a warm-up match ahead of the series.
The ODI series between Pakistan and Australia is scheduled to be played on May 30, June 2 and June 4.