According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, it is injured batter Saim Ayub who is the reason for the delay in Pakistan announcing their squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Ayub is currently recuperating in London after suffering a major injury in the Test Series against Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has all but ruled out Saim Ayub from contention for the Champions Trophy 2025 due to fitness concerns. As discussions over the final lineup intensify, the national selectors are expected to announce the squad following the conclusion of the second Pakistan-West Indies Test in Multan.

West Indies hammered Pakistan by 120 runs in the second Test to post their first win in the nation after a gap of 34 years.

Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and skipper Muhammad Rizwan will be the key players who are most likely to be in the team.

With Pakistan opener Saim Ayub being virtually ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, out-of-favour batter Fakhar Zaman is reportedly being considered as replacement. The form of Abdullah Shafique is also a concern for the Men in Green.