Ricky Ponting Expresses Concern Over Saim Ayub's Absence in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Former cricketer Ricky Ponting has expressed concern over the omission of Saim Ayub from Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Ponting commented that the absence of the 22-year-old batsman will create a notable void for the team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday that Ayub will not be competing in the much-anticipated tournament, scheduled to take place in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reported that Saim Ayub will be out of action for 10 weeks as he recuperates from an injury sustained during a match in England.

Ayub will be absent from Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy defense on home soil, but he has not been excluded from the white-ball tour to New Zealand scheduled for March.

During The ICC Review, Ponting expressed admiration for Ayub, referring to him as a “high-quality” cricketer.

“Saim Ayub is a high-quality player, and his absence is a massive gap to fill,” Ponting was quoted by ICC as saying.

Ayub debuted in One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2024 against Australia. Since then, he has participated in nine 50-over matches, accumulating a total of 515 runs with a strike rate of 105.53. The emerging batsman scored three centuries and one half-century during this period.

The ex-Australian cricketer praised Pakistan’s bowling lineup, noting that Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have performed exceptionally well in the current ODI Tri Series.

“But Pakistan’s fast bowling brigade is very, very good. Led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who’ve been terrific in recent series, they have the pace and skill to trouble any batting line-up. Babar has been a bit up and down in recent years, but if he and Rizwan can bring their A-games, that’s when Pakistan becomes incredibly dangerous,” he added.

Pakistan was the champion of the most recent Champions Trophy, which took place in 2017. In 2025, Pakistan will co-host the tournament with the UAE.

Mohammad Rizwan will captain the team, a position he has held since Babar Azam resigned following the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. This marks the first 50-over ICC tournament since that event.

Pakistan will begin their journey in the Champions Trophy 2025 on February 19, facing New Zealand in Karachi. Their second match in the group stage is scheduled against India in Dubai on February 23. The final group match for the team, led by Rizwan, will take place in Rawalpindi against Bangladesh.