Saim Ayub ruled out of competitive cricket for six weeks

CAPE TOWN: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday confirmed that opening batter Saim Ayub has been ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six weeks after suffering an ankle injury during the ongoing second Test against South Africa.

The cricket board confirmed that the young batter had suffered a right ankle fracture while fielding on Friday, the first day of the ongoing test.

“Saim Ayub has been ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six weeks due to a right ankle fracture sustained while fielding on the opening day of the second men’s cricket Test against South Africa,” the PCB said in a statement.

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“An MRI conducted Friday afternoon confirmed the fracture, which has been immobilised in an Ankle Medical Moon Boot.

“Although Saim will not participate further in the Test, he will remain with the team and travel back to Pakistan with the squad after the match concludes.”

The incident occurred in the seventh over of South Africa’s first innings when Ryan Rickelton played a fuller-length delivery from Mohammad Abbas past the slip cordon into the deep third-wicket region.

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Saim, quick on his feet, dashed in to act as the relay fielder, as Aamir Jamal valiantly attempted to haul the ball back from the boundary at deep third-man.

However, in a heartbreaking moment, Saim lost his balance and stumbled backwards, struggling to regain his footing.

He was attended to by medical staff on the field, but his painful grimaces made it evident that he was in significant distress. Ultimately, he was carried off the field after he struggled to stand on his feet.

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