There is not much time left for the Champions Trophy to start but before that, Pakistan has received a bad news. This bad news has been given by former captain Shahid Afridi, who revealed in an interview that Saim Ayub's injury is serious and it is almost impossible for him to play in the Champions Trophy. Shahid Afridi told in an interview that he had called Saim Ayub on Wednesday night and after that he came to know that this player will rest for 3 weeks and after that his recovery will start.

So will Saim Ayub not play Champions Trophy?

From the news given by Shahid Afridi on Saim Ayub, it seems that it is impossible for him to be fit before the Champions Trophy. If Saim Ayub does not play, it will be a big blow for Pakistan because this player has scored 2 centuries in his last three ODI matches. This player batted brilliantly on the difficult pitches of Australia and South Africa and could have proved to be the team's trump card in the Champions Trophy, but his injury has spoiled everything. Talking about the performance of Saim Ayub, this player has scored 515 runs in 9 matches at an average of 64.37. Ayub has 3 centuries to his name and has also scored a half-century. His strike rate is also more than 100. It is clear that Pakistan will miss such an explosive opener a lot in the Champions Trophy.

SHAHID AFRIDI CONFIRMS SAIM AYUB WILL MISS CHAMPIONS TROPHY

Afridi told Samaa News “I talked to Saim Ayub last night, he told me that he needs 3 weeks and after that his rehab will start. Pakistan will feel Saim's absence in CT 25 because we don't have backups ready.” pic.twitter.com/aA5Orb8JCm

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 16, 2025

Fakhar Zaman will replace Saim Ayub?

If Saim Ayub is not fit, then Pakistan team can once again make Fakhar Zaman open because the form of their second opener Abdullah Shafiq is very bad. He has been dropped from the team itself. The good thing about Fakhar Zaman is that he is playing in the ongoing International League T20 tournament in Dubai. They are getting an idea of ​​the conditions there. Pakistan has to play a match against Team India on March 23 in Dubai.