PCB Chairman provides update on Saim Ayub's injury as Champions Trophy squad awaited

The countdown for the Champions Trophy 2025 is nearing and Pakistan is bracing to host the first ever ICC event on its soil after a hiatus of almost 29 years. The event holds much more importance for the country’s cricket team as the same coveted mega cricket showdown was their last ICC silverware win back in 2017. While they have nurtured several players in the wake of claiming their next title, the team dealt a huge blow in the form of an injury to their opening batter, Saim Ayub. 

Notably, Ayub had twisted his ankle while fielding in the first Test of the recently concluded Test series against South Africa. The batter was ruled out for at least six months and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made arrangements to treat his ankle by England's leading sports orthopaedic specialists. However, the 22-year-old’s inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad remains uncertain. However, recently, the PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, provided an update on his recovery. 

"Saim Ayub's leg cast will come off in 1-2 days. After that, he will enter the recovery phase, which will take time. I am in constant touch with the team regarding his condition. I don't want to put his future at risk because of one Champions Trophy,” Naqvi said as quoted by Zee News.

Check out latest remarks of Mohsin Naqvi on Saim Ayub here: 

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Pakistan are yet to announce their Champions Trophy squad

Contrary to other teams, Pakistan have not yet unveiled their squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. The deadline to unveil the preliminary squad was January 11 and the deadline for the final squad is February 11. PCB is likely to roll out the names in the coming week and it's certain that Mohammed Rizwan will lead the team after recently being named as the new white-ball Captain, taking the baton from Shaheen Afridi.