Saim Ayub is dealing with a devastating ankle injury, sidelined for the New Year Test

Pakistan opener Saim Ayub suffered a painful setback less than an hour into the second and final Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. The New Year’s Test began with South African skipper Temba Bavuma opting to bat first against Pakistan in Cape Town.

South African openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton gave the hosts a steady start, reaching 27 not out in six overs. However, drama unfolded in the seventh over when Ryan Rickelton edged a delivery from Mohammad Abbas down the ground towards the boundary.

Pakistan’s Saim Ayub suffers a painful ankle injury against South Africa

When Aamer Jamal chased down and stopped the ball just short of the rope, he pitched it to Saim Ayub, who chased down a ball played by Ryan Rickleton that headed towards the third-man boundary. While slowing down, Ayub lost his balance and slipped awkwardly, twisting his right ankle in the ongoing New Year’s Test in Cape Town.

Big blow for Pakistan as Saim Ayub leaves the field in pain after hurting his right leg in the field.#SAvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/HMRF4qcVEV

— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) January 3, 2025

The left-handed batsman’s right ankle was sprained, leaving him writhing in pain on the field. Aamer Jamal and Babar Azam rushed to help the 22-year-old opener while the Pakistan team’s physio attended to the injured batsman on the Cape Town field.

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Ayub was unable to continue as the young Pakistani opener needed help from his teammates to leave the field before being carried off on a stretcher with his ankle tightly bandaged. The severity of the injury is yet to be determined, leaving questions about whether Ayub will return for the rest of the ongoing New Year Test against South Africa.

See Saim Ayub lying on the sidelines:

pic.twitter.com/saB3srai1T

— rohitkohlirocks@123@ (@21OneTwo34) January 3, 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to release an official statement on Saim Ayub’s injury, but a quick return for him does not seem likely. The 22-year-old opener showed outstanding form during the white-ball series in South Africa, hitting 31 and an unbeaten 98 in two T20I innings.

Ayub followed up with impressive performances in the ODI series, scoring 109, 25 and 101 in three matches. In the first Test, Ayub scored 14 and 27 and claimed a wicket against the Proteas side. Talking about the match, South Africa started strongly after electing to bat first but Pakistan staged an impressive comeback in the latter part of the session.

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History of the New Year Test so far in Cape Town

The new bowlers didn’t find much swing, but there was movement off the pitch. Mohammad Abbas stood out for his consistent line and length, keeping the pressure on the batsmen, while Mir Hamza struggled with his accuracy, bowling a few loose balls that allowed Ryan Rickelton (58*) to settle with the bat in Cape Town.

Aiden Markram got an early lifeline when Philistine stand-in Abdullah Shafique dropped him on 17. However, Pakistan did not have to lament for long as Markram fell to Khurram Shahzad after playing a hasty shot. Wiaan Mulder came on but looked uncomfortable from the start.

Mohammad Abbas took advantage of this and forced a lead, resulting in Mulder’s dismissal for just five runs. Just before lunch, Tristan Stubbs bowled one to Agha Salman, ending South Africa’s session on a sour note as the hosts are currently 72/3 against Pakistan in the ongoing second Test.