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 incident occurred less than an hour into the Pak vs SA match at Newlands, Cape Town, when the 22-year-old twisted his right ankle while chasing a ball toward the third-man boundary.
Ayub injured his ankle during the seventh over, following South Africa’s decision to bat first. While attempting to stop the ball from reaching the boundary, Ayub slipped, and his right ankle twisted awkwardly. In obvious pain, he immediately called for assistance. His teammates and the team’s physio quickly attended to him on the field. After receiving treatment, Ayub was escorted to the dressing room, first using a cart and later a wheelchair.
The severity of Ayub’s injury remains unclear, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet released an official statement. However, it appears to be a serious injury, and his return to action during the ongoing Pak vs SA series seems uncertain.
Ayub had been in strong form during the white-ball portion of the tour, scoring well 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 upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, his injury is a major concern for the team.
Earlier in the day, South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first, with captain Temba Bavuma explaining that they expected the pitch to break up later in the match. Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, expressed satisfaction with their decision to bowl first, noting that the pitch had less grass than usual but still supported their choice. Both teams appeared content with their respective decisions.
