Huge blow for Pakistan ahead of Champions Trophy 2025: Saim Ayub ruled out for…

New Delhi: Pakistan faces a significant setback ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 at home next month, as opener Saim Ayub has been sidelined from competitive cricket for six weeks. The young all-format opener, Saim Ayub, is now a major doubt for the ICC Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury he picked up during the ongoing second Test against South Africa at Newlands.

The 22-year-old Saim Ayub injured his ankle while fielding at the boundary on the first day of the second Test against South Africa on Friday. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Saturday that MRI scans and other tests were performed, and doctors have recommended a six-week rest for Saim.

“He has a right ankle fracture injury which will take at least six weeks to heal,” a board official said.

Saim’s fractured ankle has been placed in a Medical Ankle Moon Boot as part of his recovery plan. Given the severity of the injury, the opener is also expected to miss the two-Test series at home against the West Indies later this month, as well as the tri-series with South Africa and New Zealand in February, ahead of the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

Saim may be substituted by the dropped opener Imam-ul-Haq for the Tests and Fakhar Zaman for the ODIs. The left-hander has had a productive tour of Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, scoring three centuries, including two in the 3-0 ODI series victory over South Africa.