The Corbin Bosch fiasco is a thing of the past for Peshawar Zalmi fans, who have more news to cheer about ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season with star batter Saim Ayub officially back in action.
After months on the sidelines recovering from an ankle injury, the left-hander has been declared fit and is set to feature for Zalmi from the very start of their PSL campaign. The confirmation came directly from team owner Javed Afridi, ending weeks of speculation over the young opener’s availability.
Saim Ayub has not played a single minute of cricket since picking up an injury during Pakistan’s away Test series against South Africa earlier this year. Complications during his rehab extended his return timeline from six weeks to several months, forcing the 22-year-old to miss out on several key assignments, including the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy.
There had also been concerns that Saim Ayub might miss the early stages of the PSL 2025 season, but Peshawar Zalmi’s management has confirmed he will be ready to take the field from match one. That’s welcome news for Peshawar as they gear up to face Quetta Gladiators on Saturday, April 12—a day after Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars open the tournament.
Saim’s return is a boost not only for Zalmi but also for Pakistan cricket, especially after the national team’s struggles in his absence. Pakistan’s white-ball tour of New Zealand exposed the void left by Saim at the top of the order. Without him, the team experimented with several opening options—none of whom could make a meaningful impact.
Pakistan lost the T20I series 1-4 and were swept 3-0 in the ODIs, adding further frustration to an already difficult start to the year.
With the new PSL season starting on April 11, all eyes will be on Saim Ayub to see if he can pick up where he left off before injury struck.
For Zalmi fans and Pakistan cricket followers alike, his return could not have come at a better time.
