Saim Ayub's injury paves way for Fakhar Zaman's comeback

Pakistan opener Saim Ayub’s unfortunate injury during the second Test against South Africa at Newlands has opened the door for Fakhar Zaman’s potential return to the national team.

The 22-year-old Ayub twisted his right ankle in the seventh over while chasing a ball towards the deep third-man boundary.

Subsequent MRI scans revealed a fracture, sidelining him for at least six weeks, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed.

Ayub’s absence is a significant blow for Pakistan, as he had established himself as the team's first-choice opener across all formats.

His injury also comes at a critical time, with the Champions Trophy looming. Additionally, Abdullah Shafique’s exclusion due to poor form has left Pakistan searching for reliable options at the top of the order.

Fakhar Zaman, one of Pakistan’s most accomplished openers, is now the leading candidate to replace Ayub. The left-hander has an impressive record of 3,492 runs in 82 ODIs, averaging 46.45 with 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries.

His experience and skill could bolster Pakistan’s top order ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

However, Fakhar’s return comes with its own set of challenges. The 33-year-old has been out of favor with selectors since October, following a controversy surrounding his public support for Babar Azam’s exclusion from the Test squad.

The PCB had issued him a show-cause notice and removed him from the central contracts list, citing fitness concerns as the primary reason.

Fakhar later clarified that his criticism was aimed at selection decisions rather than the PCB itself.

Despite this, Fakhar was dropped from tours to Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, raising questions about whether the controversy played a role in his exclusion.

Now, with an opportunity to reclaim his spot, the pressure will be on Fakhar to deliver consistent performance.

Another strong contender for the opener’s role is Imam-ul-Haq, who has been in prolific form in domestic cricket. Imam scored 212 runs at an average of 53.00 in the Champions One-Day Cup and 256 runs at 36.67 in the Champions T20. His performances make him a viable alternative for Pakistan’s top order.

Saim Ayub’s injury is a setback not just for the player but for Pakistan’s cricketing plans. As the team braces for the Champions Trophy and other crucial fixtures, selectors face the challenge of rebuilding their opening pair.

Whether Fakhar Zaman or Imam-ul-Haq gets the nod, the team will need stability and strong performances at the top of the order to stay competitive on the international stage.