Ricky Ponting: “Saim Ayub is a high-quality player, and his absence is a massive gap to fill”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Pakistan have a “massive gap to fill” after opening batsman Saim Ayub missed the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Ayub fractured his ankle during Pakistan’s two-Test series against South Africa. It was initially thought that he would return in time for the Champions Trophy, but he still needs more time to make a full recovery.
Considering the 22-year-old made three ODI hundreds and a career-best 98 not out during Pakistan’s tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, Ponting noted that the men in green will have a hard time finding someone to fill Ayub’s shoes.
“Saim Ayub is a high-quality player, and his absence is a massive gap to fill,” he said on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
The Pakistan team recently played an ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, where they reached the final before losing to the Black Caps.
They then featured in the Champions Trophy and were eliminated in the group stage after losing to New Zealand and India.
Pakistan’s final Champions Trophy game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
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