Pakistan opener Saim Ayub faced an ankle injury on first day of 2nd Test against South Africa. Now reports are coming in, claiming that his injury might even cause him to miss the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
According to a report in PTIPakistan opener Saim Ayub’s injury might take over six weeks to heal, and it might turn out to be a massive blow to Pakistan’s desire to defend the Champions Trophy. This report has come straight from a specialist in London, where he was sent by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the best opinion.
Saim fractured his ankle when he was fielding on the first Day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town earlier this month. Since he was the most consistent scorer in the 50-over format, his absence will be massively missed in case he fails to recover before the Champions Trophy.
PCB flew Ayub to London from Cape Town in order to consult specialists after chairman Mohsin Naqvi had declared him an asset for Pakistan’s cricket.
“Dr Jeyasaleen has advised Saim to not rush back to playing cricket as this could cause permanent trauma to his ankle injury,” a reliable Pakistan Cricket Board source told PTI.
Ayub is set to go another check-up with a second orthopaedic in London, after which the national selectors will make the final call regarding his inclusion in the team for the mega tournament.
“The selectors want him in the preliminary squad so that they can see how his recovery progresses by the time they have to submit the final 15-member squad to the tournament technical committee,” the source said.
Discarded opener Imam-ul-Haq is expected to replace Ayub in the team for the two-match series against West Indies in January, whereas Fakhar Zaman will take place in Ayub’s place in the ICC tournament.
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