PCB releases Sufiyan Moqim from tri-series squad, adds Maaz Sadaqat as cover

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made changes to the national men's cricket team's squad for the ongoing One-day International tri-series featuring England and Sri Lanka, according to a statement released on Sunday. Left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Moqim has been released from the squad due to the nature of the pitches in Lahore, while left-handed batter Maaz Sadaqat has been added as cover for players with minor injuries.

The PCB explained that Sufiyan's release was "keeping in view the nature of Lahore pitches," and that he will return to domestic cricket. Maaz, on the other hand, was added to the squad to provide cover for players who may have minor niggles. The tri-series has shifted to the Gaddafi Stadium after the opening three matches were played in Rawalpindi, where the pitches favored pace and limited opportunities for specialist spinners.

Pakistan has won both their league games so far, defeating Sri Lanka by 37 runs and England by 87 runs. They now face England again in Lahore on Sunday. Sufiyan, a left-arm wrist spinner from Azad Kashmir, made his T20I debut for Pakistan in 2023 and has taken eight wickets in four ODIs. He is known for his record-equalling five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe in a T20I and was named Player of the Tournament in the 2026 Pakistan Super League while playing for Peshawar Zalmi.

Maaz, a 21-year-old left-hander from Peshawar, has made an immediate impact in ODIs with his aggressive batting. He scored consecutive half-centuries in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, including a blistering 96 off 51 balls that helped Pakistan set their highest T20I total at home. Maaz had initially been left out of the tri-series squad but has now been added as Pakistan continues their campaign in Lahore ahead of the final on October 31 at the same venue.