CAPE TOWN: Pakistan faced a major blow ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 as an in-form opening batter Saim Ayub has been ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six weeks.
The development came a day after Ayub sustained a right ankle fracture while fielding on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that an MRI was conducted on Friday afternoon which confirmed the fracture and that 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 statement read.
The emerging batting sensation was taken off the field after a twist in his right ankle during fielding.
The injury came during the opening session of the first day of the final Test at the Newlands when Ryan Rickelton guided the ball into the third wicket in the seventh over.
After Aamir Jamal pushed the ball back to save the boundary, the opening batter ran to throw it back into the middle but he lost his balance and stumbled backward.
The team’s medical staff intervened immediately taking Saim Ayub off the field after brief medical care.
The unfortunate injury came ahead of Pakistan’s packed schedule against West Indies, a tri-nation ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand, followed by the much-anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.