Sohaib Maqsood expresses concerns over Saim Ayub’s injury

Pakistan cricketer Sohaib Maqsood has expressed concerns regarding Saim Ayub’s injury and its potential impact on Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Maqsood highlighted Ayub’s importance to the team, emphasizing his pivotal role in the batting lineup and team combination.

Discussing Ayub’s recent ankle injury, Maqsood stated, “We want to wish him all the best for his recovery. He is heading to England for treatment, and we pray he doesn’t require surgery. I have gone through a similar injury, and recovery from such setbacks is not easy. When I had surgery, I was out of cricket for 14 months.” He added that advancements in medical technology might aid Ayub’s quicker recovery compared to his own experience in 2013.

Maqsood underscored Ayub’s contribution to Pakistan’s ODI lineup, particularly highlighting his performances in recent series. “There is no doubt that he has become the backbone of Pakistan’s batting in ODIs. In the last six matches, he scored three centuries, including one in Zimbabwe and two back-to-back hundreds in South Africa. He also played crucial innings in Australia,” said Maqsood.

He voiced concerns about Pakistan’s team balance if Ayub is unavailable, noting that the team’s ODI combination heavily relies on him. “If Saim Ayub isn’t available for the Champions Trophy, it will be a major setback. Pakistan’s entire ODI setup is based around his performances and his role as a batsman and part-time bowler,” he explained.

Maqsood also criticized the team management’s reliance on Abdullah Shafique despite his inconsistent performances in ODIs. He said, “Abdullah Shafique has been out of form in ODI cricket for the past year. I don’t think Pakistan should persist with him for the Champions Trophy. Instead, we should consider Imam-ul-Haq or even Shan Masood as opening options.”

He further elaborated on the importance of Imam-ul-Haq, citing his impressive domestic and international record. “Imam-ul-Haq has an ODI average of almost 49 with nine centuries. His domestic record also supports his inclusion in the team,” Maqsood noted.

Addressing Abdullah Shafique’s technical flaws, Maqsood remarked, “People often associate good technique with pretty cover drives or high elbows, but Abdullah has technical issues against the new ball. He plays with hard hands and commits early to deliveries. He needs to spend more time in domestic cricket to refine his skills.”

Maqsood concluded by stressing the need for a stable combination ahead of the Champions Trophy. “Without Saim Ayub, Pakistan will need to make significant changes to the team, which could disrupt the balance we’ve worked hard to achieve. We hope he recovers soon, as his absence would require a complete rethink of our ODI strategy,” he said.