Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been ruled out of the remainder of the Cape Town Test against South Africa after sustaining an ankle injury.
Ayub injured himself in the seventh over of the match when Ryan Rickleton edged a delivery through the slips and he, alongside Aamer Jamal, set off for a chase through deep third. Jamal pulled the ball back but Ayub, trying to put the brakes on as a relay fielder, lost his balance and twisted his ankle in the process.
He writhed in pain and was attended by physios immediately before being stretchered off the field. Subsequently, he was sent for scans, which revealed his injury.
"Saim Ayub has been ruled out of further participation in the second men's cricket Test against South Africa after twisting his right ankle while fielding," read a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
"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."
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Ayub entered the series riding on terrific form. He was the Player of the Series in Pakistan’s 3-0 win in the ODIs against the same opponents last month for scoring two hundreds in three matches. The rapid start to his ODI career catapulted him from 70th to a joint-23rd position in the latest ODI batters' rankings.
Ayub ruled out for up to six weeks
The southpaw has now been ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six due to a fracture in the right ankle. "An MRI conducted Friday afternoon confirmed the fracture, which has been immobilised in an Ankle Medical Moon Boot," PCB confirmed. Ayub despite being out of the Cape Town Test will remain with the team before travelling back to Pakistan after the match concludes
The injury would be concerning for Pakistan ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy, which begins in February.
In the match, Pakistan reduced South Africa to 72-3, but Ryan Rickelton (176*) and Temba Bavuma (107) rose to the occasion to put 235 runs for the fourth wicket, taking the hosts to a dominant position. South Africa were at 316-4 in 80 overs after day one.
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