Pakistani opener Saim Ayub has been ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six weeks because of a right ankle fracture sustained while fielding on the opening day of the second men’s cricket Test against South Africa at Newlands on Friday, the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

“An MRI conducted Friday afternoon confirmed the fracture, which has been immobilised in an Ankle Medical Moon Boot,” the PCB said in a statement on Saturday.

The left-handed batter has been clinical in the South Africa tour. He helped his side in completing an unprecedented clean sweep of their One-Day International series in South Africa last month.

It was the first time ever that South Africa failed to win even a single match in a home ODI series. Their previous drubbing was 1-5 against Australia in 2002.

Although Ayub was not able to score big runs in the first Test, his inclusion in the side was key to the team.

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He was taken to the dressing room on a mobile stretcher and did not return to the field after the injury.

“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.”