Pakistan opener Saim Ayub faced a painful setback less than an hour into the second and final Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. The New Year’s Test began with South African captain Temba Bavuma batting first against Pakistan in Cape Town.
South African openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton gave the hosts a steady start, reaching 27 not out in six overs. However, drama unfolded in the seventh over when Ryan Rickelton hit a Mohammad Abbas delivery down the ground towards the boundary.
Pakistan’s Saim Ayub suffered a painful ankle injury against South Africa
As Aamer Jamal chased down and stopped the ball just short of the rope, he bowled it to Saimu Ayub, who was chasing a ball played by Ryan Rickleton that was headed for the third man boundary. As he slowed down, Ayub lost his balance and slipped awkwardly, twisting his right ankle in the ongoing New Year exam in Cape Town.
Big blow for Pakistan as Saim Ayub walks off the field in pain after injuring his right leg on the field.#SAvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/HMRF4qcVEV
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) January 3, 2025
The left-handed batsman’s right ankle was strapped, leaving him writhing in pain on the field. Aamer Jamal and Babar Azam rushed to help the 22-year-old opener as the Pakistan team’s physio treated the injured player on the field in Cape Town.
Ayub was unable to continue, as the young Pakistani opener needed help from his teammates to leave the field before being carried off on a stretcher with his ankle in bandages. The severity of the injury is yet to be determined, leaving questions as to whether Ayub will return for the rest of the ongoing New Year’s Test against South Africa.
Watch Saim Ayub being dragged off the field:
— rohitkohlirocks@123@ (@21OneTwo34) January 3, 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to release an official statement on Saim Ayub’s injury, but his quick return does not seem likely. The 22-year-old opener showed exceptional form during the white-ball series in South Africa, smashing 31 and an unbeaten 98 in two T20I innings.
Ayub followed this up with impressive performances in the ODI series, scoring 109, 25 and 101 in the three matches. In the first Test, Ayub scored 14 and 27 to take a wicket against the Proteas side. Talking about the match, South Africa started strongly after opting to bat first but Pakistan made an impressive comeback in the second half of the session.
New Year’s Test story so far in Cape Town
The bowlers didn’t find much swing with the new ball, but there was movement off the pitch. Mohammad Abbas stood out with his consistent line and length, keeping pressure on the batsmen, while Mir Hamza struggled with his accuracy, delivering a few loose balls that allowed Ryan Rickelton (58*) to settle in with the bat in Cape Town.
Aiden Markram had an early lifeline when substitute Abdullah Shafique dropped him on 17. However, Pakistan did not have to mourn for long as Markram fell in Khurram Shahzad’s next over after playing a rash shot. Wiaan Mulder came on but looked uneasy from the start.
Mohammad Abbas took advantage of this and got a lead, resulting in Mulder’s dismissal for just five runs. Just before lunch, Tristan Stubbs bowled one to Aghi Salman, ending South Africa’s session on a low note, as the hosts are currently on 72/3 against Pakistan in the ongoing second Test.
