Pakistan suffered a major setback in the second Test against South Africa as their in-form starter Saim Ayub was ruled out with a right ankle injury. The 21-year-old, who has been in sublime touch across all formats, will not play in the match again, with his availability for the upcoming Champions Trophy now in serious doubt.
Incident: car chase accident
The injury happened early on Day 1 at Newlands when Ryan Rickelton bowled the ball through the slips. Ayub was running towards the deep third to assist Aamer Jamal in a relay attempt, lost his balance and twisted his ankle.
The young batsman immediately fell down clutching his leg, visibly upset. The team’s physiotherapist came 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 plummeted.
X-rays and MRI scans confirm the worst
Despite prolonged treatment outside the border, Ayub’s condition did not improve. Shortly after the day’s play, Pakistani cricket The board (PCB) released a statement confirming his unavailability till the end of the Test.
“Saim underwent x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging this afternoon,” the statement said. “Reports have been sent to experts in London for further advice on treatment and time away from competitive cricket.”
The injury, which at first seemed serious, could keep him out of the field 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 breakout 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 matches.
His versatility in all formats has made him a key part of Pakistan’s plans for the upcoming Champions Trophy, which the country is scheduled to host in February. Now his participation hangs in the balance.
“It’s a big blow, the way he is,” a team-mate Salman Ali Agha he said at the end of the game. “He would be a great asset in this post. I wish him well and hope he gets better soon.”
Impact on the field
Pakistan’s troubles did not end with Ayub’s injury. His replacement, Abdullah Shafique, had a shaky start on the field. He dropped a direct catch from Aiden Markram at cover, though the error proved not to be too costly, as Markram fell to Khurram Shahzad two overs later.
Pakistan’s bowlers managed to pull things back, but Ayub’s injury clearly rattled the visitors.
Ayub’s absence raises concerns about his recovery timeline. With the Champions Trophy just over a month away, Pakistan’s management will be eagerly awaiting news from the medical team.
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