ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Saim Ayub ruled out of the tournament; talented middle order batter replaces him
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Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been ruled out of the entire Champions Trophy 2025 as he was unable to recover in time from his recent injury. He has been replaced by the talented middle-order batter Khushdil Shah.
Ayub suffered an ankle injury during Pakistan's Test series in South Africa while he was fielding. He was seen to be going off the field in utmost pain and was immediately taken for scans.
After it was found that the injury was serious enough, Ayub was sent to London by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with the team's assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. Currently, the opener is in London for rehabilitation and it will take him a few more weeks before he can resume training.
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Saim Ayub ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
According to Samaa TV, Saim Ayub has been ruled out of Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Ayub has been unable to recover fully from the ankle injury that he suffered during Pakistan's Test series against South Africa.
His selection for the tournament was always going to be a big challenge given the extent of his injury. While Pakistan's squad is yet to be announced, the reports have confirmed that Ayub has been ruled out of the tournament.
Ayub's absence is a big blow to Pakistan's chances to defend their crown at home. The Men in Green are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy having won the tournament the last time it was played in 2017.
Khushdil Shah replaces Saim Ayub in Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad
Exclusive :
— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) January 23, 2025
Fakhta told me that @KhushdilShah_ is selected for Champions Trophy and he is the replacement of Saim Ayub..
Saim Ayub is now out from Champions Trophy squad#ChampionsTrophy2025 #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/UOTqf95v6Z
The reports also confirmed that talented left-handed batter Khushdil Shah has been named as Ayub's replacement in Pakistan's squad. Khushdil is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League where he is in terrific form with the bat.
The left-hander has scored 288 runs in nine matches at an average of 72 and a strike rate of 189.47 so far. He is currently the highest run-scorer for his team Rangpur Riders despite batting in the middle and lower order.
Khushdil Shah has shown excellent capabilities as a finisher in BPL 2025. The 29-year-old has a modest ODI record for Pakistan having scored 199 runs in 10 matches at an average of 33.16 and a strike rate of 94.76.
Saim Ayub's ODI numbers
Saim Ayub has been one of the best players for Pakistan in the last few months. The youngster has emerged as a three-format player for the team and played key roles in the team's ODI series wins in Australia and South Africa.
The 22-year-old has played 9 ODIs and scored 515 runs at an average of 64.37 and a strike rate of 105.53 with three hundreds and one fifty. The youngster was eagerly looking forward to a home ICC tournament but his dream is unfortunately over.
