Pakistan’s emerging cricket star Saim Ayub has been sidelined for up to six weeks after sustaining a right ankle fracture during the opening day of the second men’s Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town, on Friday.
This injury raises doubts about the left-handed opener’s availability for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled from February 19 to March 9.
Ayub, who had been in exceptional form across all formats, was fielding when he twisted his right ankle, prompting an immediate medical assessment. An MRI later confirmed the fracture, and his ankle has been immobilized with a Medical Moon Boot. Although he has been ruled out of the ongoing Test, Ayub will stay with the squad and return to Pakistan with the team after the match concludes.
The injury occurred during the first session of the Test while Ayub was fielding as a relay after Aamir Jamal retrieved the ball from deep third-man territory. As Ayub sprinted to make the relay throw, he lost his balance, stumbled backward, and was visibly uncomfortable before being escorted off the field for further medical care.
While the full extent of the injury is still unclear, Ayub’s absence from the current Test series is a setback for Pakistan.
This injury comes ahead of a busy schedule, including a two-match Test series against the West Indies, a tri-nation ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand, and the highly anticipated Champions Trophy in February 2024.
Ayub’s impressive performances over the past year make his injury a major concern for Pakistan. Since the white-ball tour of Australia, the 22-year-old has been a key figure in the national team, scoring three centuries and one fifty in ODIs, as well as an unbeaten 98-run knock in T20Is.
His outstanding form earned him the Player of the Series award in the South Africa ODIs and a nomination for the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award.
With the Champions Trophy approaching, Pakistan’s selectors and fans will be closely monitoring Ayub’s recovery. The tournament, set to take place in the UAE, will feature an exciting clash between Pakistan and India on February 23, originally scheduled for Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium but moved to Dubai following India’s refusal to tour Pakistan.
