Saim Ayub ruled out of Cape Town Test

Saim Ayub, has been ruled out of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town after sustaining an ankle injury.

Team management confirmed that Ayub will not take part in the ongoing match.

The injury occurred on the first day of the match when Ayub twisted his ankle while fielding. He was immediately escorted to the hospital for medical attention.

Reports on Ayub’s condition have been sent to British specialists for further consultation, and decisions regarding his treatment and recovery will be made in consultation with the doctors.

The injury occurred in the seventh over of the match when Ayub attempted to field a ball edged by South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton.

Losing his balance, Ayub twisted his ankle and was visibly in pain. Unable to put weight on his right foot, Ayub was forced off the field after receiving initial treatment from the team physio.

He was later taken to the hospital via stretcher for further evaluation.

South Africa finished the first day of the second Test with 316-4 on the board in 80 overs as Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma scored centuries against Pakistan here at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

After South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first, Pakistan picked up the first three for 71 runs bringing Bavuma and Rickelton to the crease. Khurram Shahzad drew the first blood with the wicket of opening batter Aiden Markram who returned for a 40-ball 17 inlcuding three fours.

Mohammad Abbas removed No.3 batter Wiaan Mulder for five off 18 balls while Salman Ali Agha struck to send back Tristan Stubbs for a six-ball duck.

Bavuma, who brought up his fourth Test century (106, 179b, 9x4s, 2x6s), fell to Salman three overs before close of play as Mohammad Rizwan pouched his fourth catch of the day behind stumps.

Opening batter Rickelton was unbeaten on 176 off 232 balls with the help of 21 fours and one six, when the stumps were drawn. Skipper Bavuma partnered with Rickelton for a 235-run fourth-wicket stand to take South Africa out of trouble from 71-3 as they had then lost three wickets within 7.3 overs.

Mir Hamza, who came in to the side in place of Naseem Shah, and Aamir Jamal sent down 15 wicket-less overs each as Pakistan toiled in the afternoon and evening sessions. David Bedingham (4 not out, 8b) will be on the crease with Rickelton when South Africa resume their first innings on day two.