Pakistan opener sidelined for six weeks with ankle injury
Opening batter Saim Ayub has been ruled out of action for up to six weeks following a right ankle fracture sustained during the opening day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands on Friday.
The injury occurred while Saim was fielding, and subsequent MRI scans conducted on Friday afternoon confirmed the fracture. The affected ankle has been immobilized with a medical moon boot to aid recovery.
Ayub had to be stretchered off the ground in just the seventh over of the game, when Ryan Rickelton edged a ball through the slips, sending him off on a chase to deep third besides Aamer Jamal.
South Africa finishes Day 1 in a strong position with centuries from Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton 💯#WTC25 | #SAvPAK: https://t.co/L7gnQUIBxW pic.twitter.com/x6aAGYegIW
— ICC (@ICC) January 3, 2025
The latter pulled it back in as Ayub stood poised to be the relay fielder but lost his balance and twisted his ankle.
While Saim's injury has ended his participation in the ongoing Test, he will remain with the Pakistan squad for the duration of the match. The 21-year-old batter will return to Pakistan alongside the team once the Test concludes.
South Africa held the advantage at the end of day one's play after Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma's sizzling hundreds powered the Proteas to 316/4 at stumps.