Pakistan star opener Saim Ayub has missed his spot as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 which is scheduled to start from February 19. Ayub who missed his spot in the Pakistan squad is currently on the road to recovery.
The latter got injured during the first Test against South Africa when he was attempting to stop the boundary. However, he can still join the Pakistan squad for the mega event.
Teams who are featuring in Champions Trophy 2025 can update their squad till February 11 and if Saim Ayub declared fit before that there are chances that PCB will add him to the squad for the showpiece event.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi also revealed that Saim Ayub's plaster has been removed and he is in constant touch with his doctors. The batter will take at least three to four weeks to regain full fitness.
"His plaster has been removed, and he is in touch with his doctors. He will take at least three to four weeks to regain full fitness, but we hope to see him return to the team soon," Naqvi stated while speaking to the media at Gaddafi Stadium along with the team's selection committee.
Before Champions Trophy 2025, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side will feature in a tri-nation series featuring South Africa and New Zealand from February 8 to 14. Pakistan will start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against New Zealand on February 19 at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Pakistan Squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Tayyab Tahir, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan.