Salman Ali Agha: “It’s a big blow, the kind of form he’s in. He would have been a great asset on this wicket. I wish him well and hopefully he’ll be better soon”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan middle order batsman Salman Ali Agha admitted that losing opening batsman Saim Ayub to injury is a “big blow” for the men in green.
Ayub injured his ankle while fielding on the first day of the 2nd Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
The 22-year-old struggled to put any weight on his foot and was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he underwent X-rays and MRI tests.
“The reports have been sent to specialists in London for further advice on the treatment and time away from competitive cricket,” a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Ayub has been a force to be reckoned with during Pakistan’s tour of South Africa as he made a career-best 98 not out in the T20I series before going on to amass two centuries in the three ODIs that followed.
The Karachi native posted scores of 14 and 27 in the 1st Test in Centurion.
Salman conceded that Ayub “would have been a great asset on this wicket” in Cape Town and hopes the talented youngster makes a quick recovery.
“It’s a big blow, the kind of form he’s in. He would have been a great asset on this wicket. I wish him well and hopefully he’ll be better soon,” he said.
Pakistan are 1-0 down in the series after losing the 1st Test by two wickets.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha