Saim Ayub will miss the second Test against South Africa.

Saim Ayub, Pakistan’s left-handed opening batsman, has been ruled out of the second Test against South Africa after twisting his right ankle while fielding at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday.

Ayub took X-rays and MRI testing today afternoon, and the results were transmitted to doctors in London for additional guidance on treatment and time away from professional cricket.
The event occurred during the first session of the first day of the final test. Ryan Rickelton and skipper Temba Bavuma’s centuries helped the home team recover to post 316/4 at the end of day 1.

Ayub walked off the field after sustaining an ankle injury and was transferred to a local hospital for further tests.

Ryan Rickelton steered Mohammad Abbas’ full-length delivery under the slip cordon and into the third-wicket area in the seventh over.

After Aamir Jamal returned the ball from the boundary in deep third-man area, Ayub attempted to be the relay fielder, but he lost his footing and slid backwards.

The 22-year-old seemed uncomfortable as he was led off the field after receiving medical attention.

While the extent of Ayub’s injury is unknown, it is a major concern for Pakistan ahead of their busy schedule, which includes hosting the West Indies for a two-match Test series, a tri-nation ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand, and the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

The left-handed opener is an important component of Pakistan’s team in all forms, and he has been in outstanding form during the white-ball tour of Australia, scoring three hundreds and one fifties in ODIs and one half-century – an unbroken 98-run innings – in T20Is.

Ayub was also named player of the series in South Africa’s One-Day Internationals for his outstanding performance. The International Cricket Council has also shortlisted him for the Emerging Cricketer of the Year award.