Pat Cummins' participation in doubt for 2025 Champions Trophy

Australia's skipper, Pat Cummins, may face a race against time to be fit for the 2025 Champions Trophy following a suspected ankle injury sustained after an intense Border-Gavaskar series.

The fast bowler, who featured in all five Test matches during the summer, bowled a staggering 167 overs, the most by any player in the series.

The right-arm pacer was not named in Australia's squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in the subcontinent due to the birth of his second child.

Meanwhile, he may also be dealing with an ankle issue that could keep him out of action for some time.

Australia's chief selector, George Bailey, confirmed that Cummins will undergo a scan to evaluate his sore ankle.

"There's a little bit of work to do; he's got a little bit of a sore ankle as well, so I think in the next week or so, he's got a scan coming up, and we'll get a bit more information on where that's at," Bailey told reporters.

Bailey expressed uncertainty over the skipper's availability for the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, adding, "Not really sure yet, we'll have to wait and see where that scan comes back and where it's tracking."

The prestigious Champions Trophy will commence on February 19 in Karachi, marking the start of a thrilling month-long cricketing spectacle.

The eight-team tournament, featuring 15 matches, is scheduled to run from February 19 to March 9.

Matches will be held across three venues in Pakistan — Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi — with Dubai also hosting several key fixtures.

The teams are divided into two groups: Group A consists of Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B features Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.

Hosts Pakistan will open the tournament against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.

Australia will begin their campaign with a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals England on February 22 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.