ICC Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan are yet to announce their squad for the upcoming tournament, which had January 12 as the deadline for the eight teams to name their respective squads. While the reason behind the delay has left fans and experts guessing, former Pakistan batter Basit Ali said doubts over the availability of batter Saim Ayub has most likely held up the announcement.
Opening batter Ayub twisted his ankle during the series against South Africa and has since been out of action, with initial reports suggesting he might stay in rehab mode for six weeks and even require surgery.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
However, media outlets in Pakistan have reported that the ankle won’t require any surgical intervention. But still there is no certainty over his availability for the Champions Trophy that will run from February 19 to March 9.
“Pakistan kya darr gaya jo abhi tak team announce nahi ki? Nahi dara nahi hai. Samajh nahi aa rahi hai — karein to kya karein? (Is Pakistan scared? No it isn’t, just unsure what to do and what not),” said Basit in a video on his YouTube channel.
“The biggest issue is Saim Ayub, whether he can return fit or not. It’s still not clear.”
Basit said Pakistan are also unsure about the make-up of their middle-order and hence rely on their top four to fire and desperately want Ayub to regain fitness.
The prolific 22-year-old youngster has a batting average of 64.37 in ODIs, having scored 515 runs in 9 matches, including 3 hundreds and 1 fifty.
“I hope I am wrong, but Pakistan’s problem is their middle-order because they have to face 140kmph fast bowlers, barring against India who have spin all-rounders,” said Basit.
Right now, Pakistan’s No. 5, 6 and 7 appear dodgy. That’s why I am in favour of Saud Shakeel. People are talking about Khushdil Shah. But do you want a T20 player in the Champions Trophy squad?”
Pakistan are clubbed with India, Bangladesh and New Zealand in Group A of the eight-team competition, with the high-pressure match against India scheduled for February 23.
India will play all their matches in Dubai as an agreement between the PCB, International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, after the Indian team’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
“Tayyab Tahir, Saud and Kamran Ghulam haven’t played ICC events. Similarly, the spinners Sufiyan (Muqeem) and Abrar (Ahmed) haven’t played,” said the former batter.
“That’s why at this time Shadab Khan is needed as a spin all-rounder.”
“If Saim is fit, then Saim and Fakhar Zaman is the best opening combination. If Saim doesn’t make it, then Shan Masood. Who’s left after that? Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. So your batting will depend on these four and bowling will depend on pacers,” he concluded.
