Pakistan’s opening batter Ahmed Shehzad expressed concerns over the handling of young player Saim Ayub by the cricket management.
Ayub’s injury raised questions about his availability for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and Shehzad pointed out the mistakes made in managing the young talent’s workload.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shehzad criticized the decision to include Ayub in all three formats of the game, especially in light of his recent injury.
“I had told you earlier that Saim Ayub is in good form, and you should not waste him. You are playing him in all formats, you included him in Tests and now also in T20Is,” Shehzad remarked.
According to the right-handed batter, Ayub was in peak form at the time and preserving him for the Champions Trophy would have been the most sensible decision.
“Saim was the only player in good form and you should have preserved him for the Champions Trophy. Now, look, he's injured, holding his ankle and leaving the ground,” he said.
“God willing, his reports will come soon, but if he suffers a long-term injury, who is responsible?” he questioned.
The 33-year-old also expressed his concerns not only about the injury but also about the decision-making process surrounding it.
He highlighted the uncertainty of Ayub's recovery and whether he would be fit for the upcoming tournament.
“We were telling you not to do this, but you did what you thought was right. Now, will Saim Ayub be fit before the Champions Trophy? This is a big issue and there’s no official report yet, but this is a mistake of those who made decisions about playing him,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention that the young batter is officially ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six weeks due to a right ankle fracture.
The injury occurred while fielding on the opening day of the second men's cricket Test against South Africa at Newlands.
Despite the injury, the 22-year-old will remain with the Pakistan squad throughout the ongoing Test series and will return home with the team at the conclusion of the series.
With a six-week recovery period ahead, Ayub is expected to miss the upcoming two-match home Test series against the West Indies, as well as the home tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy in 2025.
He has been in exceptional form during the recent ODI series against South Africa, where Pakistan made history by becoming the first team to whitewash South Africa on their home soil.
Ayub was named Player of the Series for his remarkable performances, scoring two centuries in three matches and leading Pakistan to a historic victory.
- Saim Ayub