Salman Ali Agha: “The reports suggest that Saim Ayub will recover before the Champions Trophy. Please pray for his speedy recovery”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan middle order batsman Salman Ali Agha has revealed that reports suggest opener Saim Ayub will recover in time for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19 to March 9.
Ayub is currently sidelined with a fractured ankle, which he sustained while fielding on the opening day of the 2nd Test against South Africa in Cape Town at the beginning of January.
Even though doubts still linger about the 22-year-old’s return, Salman seems optimistic and urged everyone to “pray for his speedy recovery”.
“The reports suggest that Saim Ayub will recover before the Champions Trophy. Please pray for his speedy recovery,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Ayub had been in red-hot form prior to his injury as 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.
Following this, he was involved in Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe and struck 155 runs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
He then proceeded to score 60 runs in two T20Is at an average of 60.
Pakistan then travelled to South Africa and Ayub started off with 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
In the three-match ODI series, he amassed 235 runs, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
As for the two-Test series, he was limited to 41 runs at an average of 20.50. He didn’t bat in the 2nd Test in Cape Town due to his injury.
Ayub missed Pakistan’s two-Test series against the West Indies in Multan, which ended as a 1-1 draw.
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