Saim Ayub ruled out of Cape Town test after ankle injury

Pakistan suffered a major setback in the second Test against South Africa when their in-form opener Saim Ayub was stretchered off the field with a right ankle injury. The 21-year-old, who has had sublime touch in all formats, will not feature further in the match and his availability for the upcoming Champions Trophy is now in serious doubt.

The incident: a chase mishap

The injury occurred early on Day 1 at Newlands when Ryan Rickelton played a ball through the slips. Ayub, running towards deep third to assist Aamer Jamal in a relief fielding effort, lost his balance and sprained his ankle.

The young batsman immediately fell down clutching his leg, visibly distressed. The team physio rushed to his aid, but Ayub could not stand, let alone walk. With tears in his eyes, he was carried off the field on a stretcher as Pakistan’s hopes took a hit.

X-rays and MRIs confirm the worst

Despite receiving prolonged out-of-bounds treatment, Ayub’s condition did not improve. Shortly after the day’s play, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement confirming his unavailability for the remainder of the Test.

“Saim underwent x-rays and MRI tests this afternoon,” the statement read. “Reports have been sent to specialists in London for further advice on treatment and time away from competitive cricket.”

The injury, which at first glance seemed serious, may leave him out of action for longer than initially expected.

A blow to Pakistan’s plans

Ayub’s absence is a big loss for Pakistan. The left-hander has been a rising star, impressing with consistent performances across all formats. He was named Player of the Series in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa, where he scored two hundreds in three games.

His versatility across all formats has made him a crucial part of Pakistan’s plans for the upcoming Champions Trophy, which the country will host in February. Now, his participation hangs by a thread.

“It’s a big blow, the form he’s in,” said teammate Salman Ali Agha at the end of the match. “It would have been a great help in this area. I wish him the best and hope he gets better soon.”

Impact on the field

Pakistan’s problems did not end with Ayub’s injury. His replacement, Abdullah Shafique, had a shaky start on the field. He dropped a simple catch from Aiden Markram at cover, although the error did not prove too costly as Markram fell to Khurram Shahzad two overs later.

Pakistan’s players managed to recover, but Ayub’s injury clearly shook the visitors.

Ayub’s absence raises concerns about the timeline of his recovery. With just over a month to go before the Champions Trophy, the Pakistan management will be eagerly awaiting updates from the medical team.

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