PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Provides Key Update on Saim Ayub's Injury Before ICC Champions Trophy 2025

 

Before the ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi issued an important update on Saim Ayub's injury. The opening batsman had walked off the field a fortnight back and was expected to be completely alright in 6 weeks, that is, right before the 8-team tournament will begin on February 19 in Karachi.

The PCB had sent Saim Ayub to London for surgery, though the Tribune quoted him as not having undergone an operation. He is instead in rehabilitation, and his foot cast is expected to come off by January. Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi stated "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,"

As of now, the PCB has not revealed the name of the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy because the board is not sure about the fitness of Saim Ayub. The only team that has not revealed its squad is Pakistan and the last day to submit the list to the ICC is February 11. The board is yet to receive an update on Saim's condition and hence is yet to announce the final squad.

I don’t want to risk his future by rushing him back for the Champions Trophy 2025. Saim Ayub is an important player for us, and, with God’s will, he will recover soon,” Naqvi added.

Predicted Pakistan Squad for ICC Champions Trophy

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Irfan Khan, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Tayyab Tahir, Kamran Ghulam, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem

Traveling Reserves: Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

PAK vs NZ vs SA Tri-Series: Schedule and Venues

Date	Match	Venue
8 February	Pakistan vs New Zealand	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
10 February	New Zealand vs South Africa	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
12 February	Pakistan vs South Africa	National Bank Stadium, Karachi
14 February	Final	National Bank Stadium, Karachi

Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan's Match Dates and Venues

Date	Match	Venue
19 February	Pakistan v New Zealand	Karachi, Pakistan
23 February	Pakistan v India	Dubai
27 February	Pakistan v Bangladesh	Rawalpindi, Pakistan