CAPE TOWN: Pakistan’s left-handed opener Saim Ayub has been ruled out of the ongoing final Test of the two-match series against South Africa, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Friday.
According to the cricket board, Saim, who twisted his ankle during the first session of the recently-concluded opening day of the second Test, underwent scans in the afternoon.
“Saim underwent X-rays and MRI tests this afternoon and the reports have been sent to specialists in London for further advice on the treatment and time away from competitive cricket,” the PCB shared in a statement.
The incident occurred in the seventh over of South Africa’s first innings when Ryan Rickelton guided a fuller-length delivery by Mohammad Abbas through the slip cordon and towards the third-wicket region.
Saim sprinted to be the relay fielder as Aamir Jamal dragged the ball back in from the boundary at deep third-man region but lost his balance and stumbled backwards.
The 22-year-old soon received medical treatment before being carried off the field as he looked in extreme discomfort.
While the extent of Saim Ayub’s injury is yet unknown, it is a major scare for Pakistan ahead of their packed schedule as 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.
The left-handed opener is an integral part of Pakistan side across formats and has been in exceptional form since the white-ball tour of Australia as he scored three centuries and one fifties in ODIs, while one half-century – an unbeaten 98 run knock – in T20Is since then.
For his sensational performance, he also bagged the player of the series award in South Africa ODIs.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.- Saim Ayub
