Pakistan’s young all-format opener, Saim Ayub, could miss next month’s ICC Champions Trophy after being ruled out of cricket for six weeks because of an ankle injury he suffered during the second Test against South Africa.
He will not continue playing in the ongoing Test match against South Africa in Cape Town. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Saturday that MRIs and other tests were done on him, and doctors have recommended six weeks of rest for Saim.
“Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six weeks due to a right ankle fracture sustained while fielding on the opening day of the second men’s cricket Test against South Africa at Newlands on Friday,” the PCB announced. “An MRI conducted Friday afternoon confirmed the fracture, which has been immobilized in an Ankle Medical Moon Boot.”
Saim is set to miss the two match test series against West Indies at home, as well as the tri-series with South Africa and New Zealand in February.
Ayub has been in great form since the white-ball tour of Australia, scoring three centuries and one half-century in ODIs. He was also named Player of the Series in the South Africa ODIs, Ayub is averaging 64.37 in his last 9 ODI matches.
His absence could open the door for dropped opener Imam-ul-Haq to return for Tests, while Fakhar Zaman could replace him in ODIs.The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will start on 19 February across Pakistan and Dubai.
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Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
