Pakistan opening batter Saim Ayub who is currently on the road to recovery from an ankle injury he got during Test series against South Africa while attempting to stop the boundary has completed his assessments with orthopaedic surgeons in London. It will still require a week to know if he can be fit to feature in the Champions Trophy 2025 which will take place next month.
London's two noted orthopedic surgeons Dr David Redfern and Dr Lucky Jeyaseelan examined Saim Ayub. PTI reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is very keen to have Saim to be part of Pakistan's squad for the high-voltage match against India which will take place on February 23 in Dubai.
“Even if the doctors say he will not have recovered from his injury in time for Pakistan’s opening CT game against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi but he could be fit for the India game, the selectors and PCB are willing to take the risk,” quoted PTI.
The source also added that Saim had been sent to London for consultations with specialists even after he was initially advised a six-week rest for his ankle injury because the PCB is very keen to see him fit for the marquee event and particularly the India match.
The PCB will get final reports and advice from the specialists by next week on Saim’s recovery process and time but after initial examination, they have ruled out any invasive or non-invasive surgery to set the ankle right.
“Their findings are that Saim can recover from his injury through physiotherapy, medication and rest but how long a rehab period they suggest will be known next week,” he said.
Saim will remain in London until next week to find out if he can rehab in Lahore at the PCB’s high-performance centre or can get better care in London itself.
With PTI inputs