The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday 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, while adding left-handed batter Maaz Sadaqat as cover for players carrying minor niggles.

In a brief statement, the PCB said Sufiyan had been released from the squad “keeping in view the nature of Lahore pitches” and would return to domestic cricket. Maaz, meanwhile, had been added as cover for players with minor niggles.

The move comes as the tri-series shifts to the Gaddafi Stadium after the opening three matches in Rawalpindi. Pakistan have won both their league games so far, beating Sri Lanka by 37 runs and England by 87, and face England again in Lahore on Sunday. The pitches in Rawalpindi generally favoured pace, limiting opportunities for specialist spinners.

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.

An occasional left-arm orthodox spinner, Maaz had initially been left out of the tri-series squad.

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.