Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has given an important injury update on Saim Ayub’s fitness ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. The opener had limped off the field earlier in the month, and it was estimated that he’d recover in 6 weeks, just in time for the 8-team tournament, which starts on February 19 in Karachi.
Saim Ayub injury update
He was sent to London by the PCB to undergo surgery. However, according to the Tribune, Saim hasn’t had surgery. Instead, he’s just rehabilitating, and soon enough, the cast from his foot will be removed in January itself. “I am in constant touch with Saim Ayub; he’s currently undergoing rehabilitation, and the cast on his foot will be removed in a day or two,” the PCB Chairman told reporters.
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Will Saim Ayub play ICC Champions Trophy?
Sources further indicate that the reason PCB hasn’t announced the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy is because they aren’t sure whether Saim is fit or not. They are waiting on his fitness update, upon which they’ll name their team. For the unaware, Pakistan is the only team that hasn’t named their squad yet. They have until February 11 to announce it, the deadline set by the ICC.
Mohsin Naqvi isn’t rushing for the opener’s return. The opener has much to offer not just now but in the coming decade, and therefore risking him won’t be right. “I do not want to jeopardise his future by rushing his return for the Champions Trophy 2025. Saim Ayub is a valuable asset for us, and, God willing, he will recover soon,” he added.
Pakistan’s predicted squad for ICC Champions Trophy
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Haseebullah Khan (wk) Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem
Traveling reserves: Mohammad Hasnain, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammed Wasim Jr.
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