Injured Saim Ayub out of remainder South Africa Test

Pakistan's left-handed opening batter, Saim Ayub, will miss the remainder of the second Test match against South Africa after sustaining an ankle injury while fielding at Newlands, Cape Town, on Friday.

Ayub underwent X-rays and MRI scans on the same day, and the reports have been sent to specialists in London for further evaluation and advice on treatment and recovery time.

The injury occurred during the opening session of day one of the final Test. South Africa responded with strong batting performances from Ryan Rickelton and captain Temba Bavuma, both of whom scored centuries, helping the home side reach 316/4 by the end of the day.

Ayub was forced to leave the field after the injury and was taken to a nearby hospital for additional testing. 

The incident took place during the seventh over when a fuller-length delivery from Mohammad Abbas was guided by Rickelton through the slip cordon and into the third-wicket area. As Aamir Jamal retrieved the ball from the deep third-man boundary, Ayub sprinted to act as the relay fielder but lost his balance and stumbled backward.

The 22-year-old appeared visibly uncomfortable and was escorted off the field after receiving medical attention.

Although the full extent of Ayub’s injury is still unclear, it is a significant concern for Pakistan as they have a packed schedule ahead. They are set to host West Indies for a two-match Test series, followed by a tri-nation ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand, and then the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

Ayub has been an important figure for Pakistan in all formats and has been in outstanding form since the white-ball tour of Australia, where he scored three centuries and one fifty in ODIs, and an unbeaten 98 in T20Is. His exceptional performances earned him the Player of the Series award in South Africa’s ODIs, and he has also been shortlisted for the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award.