Pakistan’s explosive left-handed opener, Saim Ayub, limped off the field on Friday after twisting his ankle while fielding during the second Test match against South Africa.
The incident occurred during the opening session of the first day at Newlands, Cape Town. A fuller-length delivery from Mohammad Abbas was guided by Ryan Rickelton through the slip cordon and into the third-wicket area.
After Aamir Jamal brought the ball back from deep third-man territory, Ayub ran to be the relay fielder but lost his balance and stumbled backward.
The 22-year-old appeared quite uncomfortable as he was taken off the field after receiving medical attention.
Fresh reports indicate that Ayub has been sent to a nearby hospital for additional testing of his sprained right ankle.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will provide an update on his fitness in due course.
Although the extent of Saim Ayub’s injury is yet to be determined, it is a major concern for Pakistan ahead of their busy schedule, which includes a two-match Test series against the West Indies, followed by a tri-nation ODI series with South Africa and New Zealand, and the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Ayub has been in exceptional form, scoring three centuries and one half-century in ODIs and one unbeaten half-century (98 runs) in T20Is since the white-ball tour of Australia.
His sensational performance also earned him the player of the series award in the South Africa ODIs, and he has been shortlisted for the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award.
