Pakistan's Hopes Of Saim Ayub Being Available For Champions Trophy Dealt Big Blow: 'Not To Rush Back'

Pakistan's Hopes Of Saim Ayub Being Available For Champions Trophy Dealt Big Blow: 'Not To Rush Back' Photo : AP

In what has come as a major blow to Pakistan's aspirations of defending the Champions Trophy , opener Saim Ayub 's injury might take over six weeks to heal and his participation in the ICC tournament is doubtful at the moment, according to a report in PTI. The words of caution have come straight from a specialist in London, where he was sent by the Pakistan Cricket Board for best opinion.

Ayub fractured his ankle while fielding on the first day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town earlier this month. With him being the most consistent scorer in the 50-over format, Pakistan will miss him immensely if he fails to recover before the Champions Trophy.

PCB flew Ayub to London from Cape Town to consult specialists after chairman Mohsin Naqvi declared him an asset to 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 told PTI.

Ayub will undergo another check-up with a second notable orthopaedic in London on Friday after which the national selectors will take a call on his inclusion in the team for the tournament beginning February 19.

"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.

The source admitted that by the look of things Ayub can miss the tournament and may need more time for his ankle to heal.

Discarded opener, Imam-ul-Haq is expected to replace Ayub in the Test team for the two-match series against the Windies in January while Fakhar Zaman who last played an ODI in the 2023 World Cup will take Ayub's place in the ICC tournament.

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