February 10, 2025: Ricky Ponting has expressed concern over the absence of Pakistan’s star batter, Saim Ayub, from the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The 22-year-old has been ruled out due to injury and will miss out on Pakistan’s title defense. Ponting called Ayub a “high-quality” cricketer and emphasized that his absence leaves a “massive gap.” Ayub made an impressive debut in 2024 and has scored 515 runs in nine ODIs with three centuries.
Ponting also praised Pakistan’s fast-bowling attack, highlighting Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for their recent performances. He added that if Pakistan’s top order, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, can fire, they would become a dangerous side.
The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan and the UAE, with Mohammad Rizwan leading the team after Babar Azam stepped down post-2023 World Cup. Pakistan’s fixtures include matches against New Zealand, India, and Bangladesh.
Pakistan Squad:
- Mohammad Rizwan (c)
- Babar Azam
- Fakhar Zaman
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Tayyab Tahir
- Faheem Ashraf
- Khushdil Shah
- Salman Ali Agha
- Usman Khan
- Abrar Ahmed
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Naseem Shah
- Shaheen Shah Afridi