Pakistan suffered a major setback in the second Test against South Africa as their in-form opener Saim Ayub left the field with a right ankle injury. The 21-year-old, who has been in excellent touch across all formats, will not play any part in the match again, with his availability for the upcoming Champions Trophy now in serious doubt.
Incident: A disaster in pursuit
The injury happened early on Day 1 at Newlands when Ryan Rickelton drove a ball through the slips. Ayub, running straight to deep third to assist Aamer Jamal in a relay attempt, lost his balance and twisted his ankle.
The young man immediately shot down, clutching his leg, clearly worried. The team physio rushed to his aid, but Ayub could not stand, much less walk. With tears in his eyes, he was carried off the field on a stretcher as Pakistan's hopes took a hit.
X-ray and MRI scans confirm the worst
Despite receiving prolonged treatment outside the border, Ayub's condition did not improve. Immediately after the day's game, Pakistan Cricket The Board (PCB) issued a statement confirming his unavailability for the remainder of the Test.
“Saim underwent X-ray and MRI tests this afternoon,” the statement said. “Reports have been sent to specialists in London for further advice on treatment and timing of withdrawal from competitive cricket.”
The injury, which appeared serious at first glance, may keep him out longer than originally expected.
A blow to Pakistan's plans
Ayub's absence is a big loss for Pakistan. The left-hander has been a young star, impressing with consistent performances across all formats. He was named the 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 forms made him a crucial part of Pakistan's plans for the upcoming Champions Trophy, which the country will host in February. Now, his participation hangs in the balance.
“It's a big blow, the kind of form he's in,” the team-mate Salman Ali Agha said at the close of the game. “He would have been a great asset at this port. I wish him well and hope he gets better soon.”
Impact on the ground
Pakistan's problems did not end with Ayub's injury. His replacement, Abdullah Shafique, had a shaky start on the field. He dropped a straight catch from Aiden Markram at cover, though the error did not prove too costly as Markram fell to Khurram Shahzad twice later.
Pakistan's bowlers managed to pull things back, but Ayub's injury clearly rattled the visitors.
Ayub's absence raises concerns about the timeline for his recovery. With the Champions Trophy just over a month away, the Pakistan management will be anxiously awaiting updates from the medical team.
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