SA vs PAK 2nd Test: Pakistan Suffer Injury Blow as Saim Ayub Twists Ankle And Leaves Field on Wheel Chair

Pakistan suffered an injury blow in the first hour of the second Test against South Africa as opening batter Saim Ayub was helped off the field at the Newlands in Capw Town on Friday (January 3).

Ayub twisted his ankle and was seen grimacing in pain before he received help from his teammates and the team physio on the sidelines of the Newlands. The 22-year-old was later helped off till the dressing room, first with a cart and then via a wheelchair.

The injury occured in the seventh over after South Africa opted to bat first. Ayub appeared to have twisted his right ankle when he chased a ball played by Ryan Rickleton was headed to the third man boundary. While Jamal slid and flicked the ball back in, Ayub slipped and twisted his ankle.

Ayub, who was seen in pain, called for the physio immediately as his teammates attended to him. The left-handed batter right ankle was strapped and later needed a couple of the substitutes to help him move to the cart. There is no official statement from PCB as yet, but it did not look very promising for his quick return.

Ayub will be key to Pakistan in the ongoing Test and also the upcoming assignments for the national team, inlcuding next month's ICC Champions Trophy, where he is likely to be the primary opener for the team.

Earlier, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first as the home side seek to claim the series 2-0. "It's hot and we expect the wicket to break up, we want to finish (the series) on a good note," Bavuma said as he announced three changes for his team from the win in Centurion.

Kwena Maphaka became the youngest South African to make a test debut, replacing Dane Paterson, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who has recovered from a groin injury, has replaced all-rounder Corbin Bosch. Tony de Zorzi made way for Wiaan Mulder.

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood said his side were happy to bowl first. "A bit less grass than usual (on the wicket) but we would have had a bowl anyway," he said. "Both teams got what they wanted." Pakistan, on the other hand, made one change in the pace department.

Pakistan once again went without a specialist spinner as they rested fast bowler Naseem Shah and brought in left-arm fast bowler Mir Hamza. Salman Ali Agha, Ayub and Saud Shakeel are expected to play the role of spinners in the Cape Town Test.

South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd Test Playing 11

South Africa: Ryan Rickleton, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka.

Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad.