Pakistan faced an early setback in the second Test against South Africa at Cape Town as opener Saim Ayub suffered a serious ankle injury and had to be stretchered off the field. The extent of Ayub’s injury is yet to be confirmed, but he was taken to the hospital for further treatment. The young batter, unable to put any weight on his right ankle, appeared visibly distressed and in tears following the incident.
The injury occurred during the seventh over when Ryan Rickelton edged a ball through the slips, prompting Ayub to chase it alongside Aamer Jamal toward deep third. As Ayub prepared to relay the ball back, he lost his balance and twisted his ankle, collapsing in pain near the boundary. The medical staff quickly assisted him, providing lengthy on-field treatment before taking him off on a stretcher.
Pakistan’s woes continued as Ayub’s replacement, Abdullah Shafique, dropped a straightforward catch at cover, giving Aiden Markram a reprieve. However, Pakistan didn’t have to wait long for a breakthrough as Khurram Shahzad dismissed Markram two overs later. The team celebrated quietly, likely recognizing the seriousness of Ayub’s injury.
Ayub’s absence could be a significant blow for Pakistan. The 21-year-old has been a rising star for the national team across all formats. He recently played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 3-0 ODI series win over South Africa, scoring two centuries and earning the Player of the Series award. His consistent performances have established him as one of the team’s few all-format regulars. Pakistan expects him to play a crucial role in the upcoming Champions Trophy, which they will host in February.
Losing Ayub at this critical juncture could impact Pakistan’s preparation and momentum ahead of the marquee tournament.
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