Pakistan has suffered a major setback ahead of the Champions Trophy in February 2025. Saim Ayub, the rising star of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket, has been ruled out of the tournament due to a fractured ankle. This unfortunate injury has come as a blow to Pakistan’s plans, as Saim was expected to play a crucial role in the team’s batting lineup.

The talented top-order batsman, who recently shone as the Man of the Series during Pakistan’s clean sweep against South Africa in a historic 3-0 ODI series win, has been advised to take six weeks of complete rest. Following this rest period, he will undergo further medical tests and consultations. Even with an optimistic timeline, Saim will not be fit to return to cricket until mid-February at the earliest. His rehabilitation process will only begin after that, making it highly unlikely for him to be ready for the Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19.

An official from the team management confirmed the news, stating, “It’s a huge loss for Pakistan. Saim has been asked to rest and focus on recovery. Unfortunately, we don’t see him being fit in time for the tournament.”

Saim’s performance in just nine ODIs has been phenomenal, scoring 515 runs at an impressive average of over 64. His record includes three centuries and one fifty, making him one of Pakistan’s brightest batting prospects. However, his injury—a fractured right ankle sustained while fielding during the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town—requires careful management and proper rehabilitation. For now, selectors have no choice but to rule him out of the Champions Trophy to ensure his long-term fitness.

The injury occurred during the opening day of the Test match at Newlands. Saim underwent an MRI scan later that day, which confirmed the fracture. His ankle has since been immobilized using a specialized medical boot. While he won’t play any further part in the Test series, Saim will remain with the team until the conclusion of the match before returning home with the squad.

Saim’s absence has forced Pakistan to reconsider their opening batting strategy for the Champions Trophy. Many had hoped for a strong opening pair featuring Saim and Fakhar Zaman. With Saim unavailable, it’s likely that Imam-ul-Haq will step up to open alongside Fakhar. Imam, who has already been named captain for an upcoming side-match against West Indies, is seen as a reliable replacement.

The team management expressed disappointment over losing Saim at such a critical time, stating, “It’s unfortunate to miss such a key player for a big event. Saim has proven himself as a top-order asset in recent ODIs. We are hopeful he will recover fully and rejoin the team soon.”

Not only will Saim miss the Champions Trophy, but he is also out of contention for the upcoming tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand. If all goes well with his recovery, he could make his return during Pakistan’s away series in New Zealand or in time for the PSL X starting in April 2025.

Meanwhile, all eight teams participating in the Champions Trophy are preparing to submit their provisional squads to the ICC within the next ten days. For Pakistan, Imam-ul-Haq is likely to fill the void left by Saim, both in the Tests against West Indies and potentially during the Champions Trophy campaign. The team will now look to adjust their strategies and finalize a new opening combination as they aim to defend their title in the prestigious tournament.