Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been ruled out of the entire 2025 Champions Trophy as he could not recover in time from a recent injury. He was replaced by talented middle-order batsman Khushdil Shah.
Ayub suffered an ankle injury during Pakistan’s Test series in South Africa while on the field. He was seen leaving the field in great pain and was immediately taken for a scan.
Once the injury was deemed serious enough, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent Ayub to London with assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. The opener is currently in London rehabbing and will need a few more weeks before resuming training.
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Saim Ayub ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
According to Samaa TV, Saim Ayub has been dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Ayub has failed to fully recover from the ankle injury he sustained 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, reports have confirmed that Ayub has been ruled out of the tournament.
Ayub’s absence is a major blow to Pakistan’s chances of defending their crown at home. The men in green are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, having last won the tournament in 2017.
Khushdil Shah replaces Saim Ayub in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad
Exclusive:
Fakhta told me that @KhushdilShah_ he was selected for Champions Trophy and he is a replacement for Saim Ayub..
Saim Ayub is now out of the Champions Trophy squad#ChampionsTrophy2025 #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/UOTqf95v6Z
— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) January 23, 2025
Reports have also confirmed that talented left-handed batsman Khushdil Shah has been named as Ayub’s replacement in the Pakistan squad. Khushdil is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League where he is in great form with the bat.
The left-hander has so far scored 288 runs in nine matches at an average of 72 and a strike rate of 189.47. He is currently the top scorer for his team Rangpur Riders despite batting in the middle and lower order.
Khushdil Shah has shown excellent ability as a finisher in BPL 2025. The 29-year-old has a modest ODI record for Pakistan with 199 runs in 10 matches at an average of 33.16 and a strike rate of 94.76.
ODI numbers of Saim Ayub
Saim Ayub has been one of Pakistan’s best players in recent months. The youngster has featured as a tri-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 played 9 ODIs and scored 515 runs at an average of 64.37 and a strike rate of 105.53 with three hundred and one fifty. The young man was eagerly awaiting the domestic ICC tournament, but his dream unfortunately ended.
