As Pakistan’s squad announcement for the upcoming tour of New Zealand draws near, two stars set to miss out on selection are Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman. The veteran and the promising opening batter are currently on the treatment table as they look to recover from their respective injuries.
Saim Ayub, who impressed during his outings with the national team, is still undergoing rehabilitation after fracturing his ankle during Pakistan’s tour of South Africa earlier this year. The young opener, who was touted as a potential game-changer for Pakistan’s top order in the Champions Trophy, sustained the injury during the second Test match in January and has not featured in any competition since, as the PCB is taking no chances with his health.
Despite his absence from the squad, Saim remains a key prospect for Pakistan’s future, and the selectors are hopeful that his recovery will see him return to full fitness soon.
On the other hand, Fakhar Zaman, the seasoned opening batsman who was brought in to replace Saim for the Champions Trophy, has also not fully recovered from the oblique injury he sustained during the competition. Although Fakhar was confident about his quick recovery, the PCB has decided to afford him additional time to work on his fitness before making his return to international cricket.
Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman’s absence from the New Zealand tour also opens up opportunities for fresher talent in the squad. The New Zealand tour, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs, will be an important opportunity for Pakistan to experiment with their lineup and look for fresh talent to fill the void left by the two left-handers.
Both Saim and Fakhar are expected to be fit for the upcoming PSL season.
While Pakistani fans may have to wait a little longer to see Fakhar and Saim open the batting for Pakistan, there is hope that when they eventually take the field together, they will help the team overcome its recent batting struggles.
