New Delhi: Young Pakistan opener Saim Ayub is all but out of the ICC Champions Trophy as his recovery from an ankle injury will take time beyond the tournament starting in February 19 to heal.
Saim fractured his ankle earlier in the month during the first day of Pakistan’s second Test against South Africa in Capetown.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that since Ayub won’t be match fit in time of the Champions Trophy, he wouldn’t be rushed back into action.
“I am in touch with his doctors on daily basis and his ankle plaster will come off in next few days,” Naqvi said.
“But it will take time for his complete recovery and we are not going to risk his future career just for the Champions Trophy. He is our asset and we him fully fit whatever time is required. I am personally monitoring his progress.”
Pakistan yet to name CT squad
The PCB have delayed announcing their squad for the Champions Trophy, a tournament they are hosting, waiting for Saim’s status.
The batter was included in ICC’s ODI team of the year for 2024 and smashed two centuries in South Africa before sustaining the injury while fielding near the boundary line.
He was initially expected to take six weeks to recover with the PCB sending him to specialist sports injury handling orthopaedic surgeons for check-ups, but it is unlikely to make him fit in time for the CT.
Fakhar Zaman, who had been out of favour, is likely to take Saim’s place while Shan Masood and Imam ul Haq are being considered to replace Abdullah Shafique.
Zaman had scored a century to help Pakistan beat India in the final of the last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017.
Pakistan are hosting the tournament even though India’s matches will be held in Dubai for security reasons.
Pakistan opener Saim Ayub fractured his ankle earlier in the month during the first day of Pakistan’s second Test against South Africa in Capetown. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
