Sohaib Maqsood: “If Saim Ayub isn’t available for the Champions Trophy, it will be a major setback. Pakistan’s entire ODI setup is based around his performances and his role as a batsman and part-time bowler”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Sohaib Maqsood has admitted that it will be a “major setback” for the men in green if opener Saim Ayub is ruled out of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Ayub is currently sidelined with a fractured ankle, which he suffered during the recent two-Test series against South Africa.
The 22-year-old has arguably been Pakistan’s most dominant white-ball batsman over the past couple of months and has also started chipping in with wickets, making him an even more lethal player.
During the tour of Australia, he made 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
He was then involved in Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe and finished with 155 runs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
He also took three wickets at an average of 19.
As for the T20Is that followed, the Karachi native amassed 60 runs in two matches at an average of 60.
Pakistan then toured South Africa and Ayub began his campaign with 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
He then went on to accumulate 235 runs in three ODIs, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
Bowling-wise, he ended up with two wickets at an average of 34.
As for the two-Test series, he ended up with 41 runs at an average of 20.50. However, he didn’t bat in the 2nd Test in Cape Town due to the ankle injury he suffered.
Ayub is now in a race against time to be fit for the Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19 to March 9. If he fails to make a full recovery, Maqsood acknowledged it will be a big blow for Pakistan as the Karachi native has become the centrepiece of the “entire ODI setup”.
“If Saim Ayub isn’t available for the Champions Trophy, it will be a major setback. Pakistan’s entire ODI setup is based around his performances and his role as a batsman and part-time bowler,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan are now facing the West Indies in a two-Test series, which they lead 1-0 after winning the 1st Test in Multan by 127 runs.
The 2nd Test will get underway on January 25 in Multan.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha