Cape Town: Pakistan’s explosive left-arm pacer, Saim Ayub, was walked off the field on Friday after spraining his ankle while fielding during the second Test match against South Africa.
The accident occurred during the opening session of the first day of the final test, being held at Newlands, Cape Town.
A full-length delivery from Mohammad Abbas was steered by Ryan Rickleton through the slip cordon and into the third wicket in the seventh over.
After Amer Jamal returned the ball out of bounds in deep third-man territory, Ayoub ran to be the relay player but lost his balance and stumbled backwards.
The 22-year-old looked completely uncomfortable when he was taken off the field after receiving medical attention.
According to the new information, Ayoub was sent to a nearby hospital to undergo additional tests for a sprained right ankle.
The young opener’s fitness will be updated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in due course.
While the extent of Saim Ayyub’s injury is not yet known, it is a major fear for Pakistan ahead of their busy schedule where they are scheduled to host the West Indies in a two-match Test series, followed by a three-nation ODI series against South Africa. New Zealand and then the upcoming 2025 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy.
The left-handed opener is an integral part of the Pakistan side across formats, and has been in exceptional form since the white-ball tour of Australia, scoring three centuries and two fifty in ODIs, while scoring two half-centuries – an unbeaten 98 knocks – in T20Is since. Now.
For his sensational performance, Ayub was also awarded the Player of the Series in the South African ODIs. Whereas, the ICC has shortlisted him for the Emerging Cricketer of the Year award as well.