ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohsin Naqvi rules Saim Ayub out of the tournament

Pakistan's star opener Saim Ayub is all set to be ruled out of the entire Champions Trophy campaign. The fresh update came from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who claimed that he can't risk his career just on the basis of one tournament.

Ayub has been one of the best performers for Pakistan in the last few months. The youngster played key roles at the top order across formats in his team's historic wins in Australia and South Africa.

He was eagerly looking forward to the home Champions Trophy campaign where Pakistan will be aiming to defend the title that they won in 2017. However, his absence will severely hurt their chances as they will be short of a quality opening batter.

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Mohsin Naqvi rules Saim Ayub out of Champions Trophy

During a chat with the reporters, Mohsin Naqvi was asked about the status of Saim Ayub. The PCB chief was quick to admit that he is in regular connection with the youngster and confirmed that Ayub is in his rehabilitation phase.

"I am in contact with Saim (Ayub) on an everyday basis. His rehabilitation is going on currently and we hope that his plaster will be removed in a couple of days. After that, he will be working towards his recovery," Naqvi said.

Further speaking on the 22-year-old's recovery, Naqvi confirmed that Ayub's future won't be risked because of just a single tournament and he will be given a whole time to recover.

"It will take time and I don't want to risk his future because of one Champions Trophy. I am monitoring everything myself as he is our asset and we hope him to get well soon," he added.

🚨 PCB CHAIRMAN MOHSIN NAQVI SPEAKS ABOUT SAIM AYUB

Opening batter Saim Ayub looks certain to be ruled out of 2025 Champions Trophy 🇵🇰💔 pic.twitter.com/a0MRGRnZDk

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 26, 2025

How did Saim Ayub get injured?

Saim Ayub injured his right ankle when he was fielding during the first morning of the second Test of the series between South Africa and Pakistan. Ayub went after a ball to deep third alongside Aamer Jamal. Jamal pulled the ball back in as Ayub was stationed there as the relay fielder.

However, he lost his balance and twisted his ankle. Ayub was seen in severe pain and was stretchered off the ground. Later, he was seen in his crutches and it was confirmed through MRI that he had suffered a fracture.

He was immediately sent to London for further treatment alongside the team's assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. After returning from London, he started his rehabilitation process with an aim to be fit ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Saim Ayub's recent ODI form

Saim Ayub has established himself as a star for Pakistan in all the formats of the game. The left-hander was crucial to Pakistan's ODI series wins in Australia and South Africa. Ayub scored 125 runs in three matches at an average of 41.66 and a strike rate of 97.65 in ODIs against Australia and emerged as the highest run-getter of the series.

The 22-year-old was at his best again during the ODI series against South Africa when he scored 235 runs in three matches at an average of 78.33 and a strike rate of 96.31 with two hundreds. He could have been the trump card for Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.