WATCH: Saim Ayub trains at gym as part of his rehabilitation process

Pakistan's left-handed opening batter, Saim Ayub, has begun his rehabilitation process and is now exercising in the gym as he recovers from an ankle injury.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video on its social media platforms, showing Ayub performing light exercises at the gym. In the video, Ayub is seen doing various balancing exercises, such as single-leg squats, tightrope walks, and single-leg jumps.

Ayub sustained a significant injury to his right ankle on the opening day of the second Test in the two-match series against South Africa in January. As a result, he was ruled out of international cricket for at least six weeks, missing the ongoing ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

The young opener was also not included in Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand, which consists of five T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs) from March 16 to April 5.

The PCB confirmed in a statement that Ayub, along with fellow opener Fakhar Zaman, was not considered for selection on medical grounds. 

“Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for either format on medical advice,” the PCB statement read. 

“Fakhar suffered a left lower intercostal muscle sprain during Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, while Saim is recovering from a right ankle fracture sustained on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January,” statement added. 

The statement further added that both players are expected to be fully fit for the HBL Pakistan Super League 10, which starts on April 11, 2025, in Rawalpindi.