KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said the future of Saim Ayub will not be put at risk for the sake of next month’s ICC Champions Trophy as the young batter recovers from an ankle injury.

Left-handed Saim had fractured his ankle on the first day of the second Test against South Africa earlier this month in Cape Town.

According to a report of the Press Trust of India, Mohsin told reporters in Houston that no risk would be taken with Saim’s future and he was personally monitoring the young batter’s rehabilitation progress.

“I am in touch with his doctors on daily basis and his [Saim’s] ankle plaster will come off in next few days,” the PCB chief said.

“But it will take time for his complete recovery and we are not going to risk his future career just for the Champions Trophy. He is our asset and we him fully fit whatever time is required. I am personally monitoring his progress,” Mohsin said.

The Pakistan selectors have held back naming the Champions Trophy squad as they waited to know if Saim would be available for the event being held in Pakistan and Dubai from Feb 19 to March 9.

Initially given six weeks for recovery, the PCB sent Saim to England for check-ups with specialist sports injuries orthopaedic surgeons who are monitoring his recovery process.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2025