Pakistan’s explosive left-arm opener Saeem Ayub limped off the field after spraining his ankle while fielding during the second Test against South Africa on Friday.
The incident took place during the opening session of the first day of the final Test to be played at Newlands in Cape Town.
In the seventh over, a full length delivery from Mohammad Abbas was edged into the third wicket region by Ryan Rickleton through the slip cordon.
When Amir Jamal brought the ball back in from a boundary in the deep third-man region, Ayub ran to become the relay fielder but lost his balance and staggered backwards.
The 22-year-old appeared to be quite distraught as he was carried off the field after receiving medical attention.
According to the latest information, Ayub is being sent to a nearby hospital for further tests on his sprained right ankle.
The fitness of the young opener will be updated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in due course.
While the extent of Saeem Ayub’s injury is still unknown, it is a big fear for Pakistan ahead of their busy schedule as they host the West Indies for a two-match Test series, followed by South Africa. The tri-nation ODI series will be played against and New Zealand and then the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
The left-handed opener has been an integral part of the Pakistan team in all formats and has been in exceptional form since the white-ball tour of Australia as he scored three centuries and a half-century in ODIs, while a half-century – An unbeaten innings of 98 runs. – Since then in T20Is.
Ayub also won the man of the series award in the South Africa ODI for his sensational performance. While the ICC has also shortlisted him for the Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award.