Saim Ayub, an injured batter, has been named by the Pakistani selectors to be part of the provisional roster sending to the International Cricket Council for the Champions Trophy starting on February 19.
Saim Ayub, an injured batter, has been named by the Pakistani selectors to be part of the provisional team that will be forwarded to the International Cricket Council for the Champions Trophy starting on February 19. Despite his regrettable injury, Saim’s recent form and his growth as an opener, especially in the 50-overs format, have persuaded the national selectors that he should be in the preliminary team, according to a source close to the selectors. He stated, “The Pakistan Cricket Board sent Saim to London to get the best medical opinion on his ankle injury so that the selectors can determine whether he can be fit in time for the Champions Trophy, so they will keep him in the preliminary squad.”
Saim, who broke his ankle during the opening day of the second Test match against South Africa last week, has been given a six-week rehabilitation period. As part of that time, his foot was put in an Ankle Medical Moon Boot.
The source stated that the PCB must submit the final Champions Trophy team by February 12th without needing permission from the Tournament technical committee.
Even if Saim is unable to recover in time for the Champions Trophy, he continued, the selectors believe that another player can take his place.As an opener with Saim, the selectors intend to recall Fakhar Zaman to the 15-member preliminary squad; however, if Saim is unable to do so in time, Abdullah Shafique or Imam ul Haq are likely to take his position.
While Fakhar has been absent from recent white ball matches, Saim has been scoring a lot and making an impression on everyone on the recent travels to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Australia. He scored two hundreds against South Africa in the ODI series, which helped Pakistan win 3-0.
Since the World Cup in India in late 2023, Fakhar has not participated in a 50-over match for Pakistan due to a number of issues with his fitness and injury.
