Pakistan star opener Saim Ayub, who got injured while attempting to stop the boundary during a Test match against South Africa, has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to start from February 19. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already announced their preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy where the 22-year-old batter missed his spot.
PCB now shared an update on the young batter's injury where they have mentioned that Saim Ayub has been ruled out for 10 weeks from the date of injury (3 January). His availability for the New Zealand tour will be subject to clearing all fitness tests and medical requirements.
Pakistan are scheduled to play a five-match T20I series followed by three ODIs in New Zealand from 16 March to 5 April, which will be followed by the Pakistan Super League, which starts on 8 April.
Champions Trophy is scheduled to start from February 19 where Pakistan will enter as defending champions. Mohammad Rizwan-led side will play the tournament's opener clash against New Zealand. Pakistan's second league match will be against arch-rivals India and they will play their last league match against Bangladesh.
The eight-team tournament will be played in a hybrid model where matches featuring India and one of a semifinal will take place in Dubai and the rest of the matches will take place in Pakistan's Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. The venue for the final also depends upon India's performance, if India manages to reach the title decider it will take place in Dubai otherwise, the summit clash will take place in Pakistan.