ISLAMABAD: Pakistan all-format opening batter Saim Ayub has been ruled out of cricket for at least six weeks after he fractured his right ankle on the opening day of the second and final Test against South Africa, putting his participation in serious doubt for next month’s Champions Trophy.
Ayub fell awkwardly in the outfield and was visibly in lot of pain as he received brief treatment on the ground before he was rushed to a hospital for precautionary scans.
“An MRI conducted Friday afternoon confirmed the fracture, which has been immobilized in an Ankle Medical Moon Boot,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Saturday.
“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.”
Ayub’s injury comes as a major blow to Pakistan. The left-handed opener had been in prolific form, especially in white-ball cricket, and scored two centuries as Pakistan swept South Africa 3-0 in the one-day series last month.
The ankle injury has put his participation in doubt for next month’s Champions Trophy which begins on Feb. 19 in Karachi, when Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the opening match.
South Africa dominated the day 1 of the second Test at Newlands and piled up 316 for four, with Ryan Rickelton hitting 176 not out. He shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 235 with his captain, Temba Bavuma, who made 106.
South Africa have already sealed a place in June’s World Test Championship final with a dramatic two-wicket win in the first test at Centurion.
Fractured ankle rules out Pakistan opener Saim Ayub for at least six weeks
https://arab.news/9cnjv
Fractured ankle rules out Pakistan opener Saim Ayub for at least six weeks
- Ayub fell awkwardly in the outfield and was visibly in lot of pain as he received brief treatment on the ground
- South Africa dominated the day 1 of second Test and piled up 316 for four, with Ryan Rickelton hitting 176 not out
Turkiye ‘in talks’ with Pakistan and Saudi over defense pact
- Turkish foreign minister says no agreement has been signed yet despite ongoing discussions
- The proposed alliance follows Pakistan-Saudi defense pact signed after brief India conflict
ISTANBUL: NATO member Turkiye is holding talks with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to join a defense alliance established in September between the two countries, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday.
“At present, there are discussions and talks underway, but no agreement has yet been signed,” Fidan told reporters.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “vision is broader, more comprehensive, and aimed at establishing a larger platform,” he added.
The Pakistan-Saudi pact was signed just months after Pakistan and India fought an intense four-day conflict in May that killed more than 70 people on both sides in missile, drone and artillery fire, the worst clashes between the nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999.
Pakistan and India have long accused each other of backing militant forces to destabilize one another.
Saudi Arabia is believed to have played a key role in defusing the conflict.
