Pakistan’s opening batter Saim Ayub was stretchered off the field on the first day of the second Test against South Africa after suffering a painful ankle injury.
The 22-year-old twisted his right ankle while chasing a ball towards the third-man boundary, forcing him to leave the field less than an hour into the match at Newlands, Cape Town.
Ayub appeared to injure his ankle in the seventh over after South Africa opted to bat first. He slipped while attempting to stop a ball from going to the boundary, and his right ankle twisted awkwardly under his body. In visible distress, Ayub immediately signaled for assistance.
Teammates and the team’s physio attended to him on the field before Ayub was helped to the dressing room, initially using a cart and later a wheelchair.
The severity of the injury remains unclear, and no official statement has been made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) yet. However, the injury seems serious, and his quick return to action is uncertain.
Ayub had been in excellent form during the white-ball segment of the tour, including impressive scores in the T20Is and ODIs. He also contributed in the first Test match with scores of 14 and 27.
As a key player for Pakistan, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy approaching, his injury will be a concern for the team.
Earlier in the day, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first, with captain Temba Bavuma explaining that they expected the pitch to break up as the day progressed.
Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood said his team was satisfied with their decision to bowl first, noting that the pitch had less grass than usual but still favored their choice. Both teams seemed content with their respective decisions.
