Saim to head to London for treatment

ISLAMABAD: Saim Ayub will be heading to London to consult well-known surgeon for the treatment of his fractured ankle as well as early recovery.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi decided to send the top-order batsman to London for immediate treatment after consulting specialists in Pakistan and abroad. Saim, who was earlier set to travel to Pakistan, will now head to England. The PCB chairman had a phone call with Saim to inquire about his well-being and expressed good wishes for his swift recovery.

Naqvi said: “Saim Ayub will be checked up by the sports ortho specialists in England as an immediate appointment has been made by the PCB. The medical team is looking into the entire case and Dr. Mumraiz has shared Saim’s medical reports with specialists in England.

The PCB chairman said that Saim was a brilliant stylish batsman and an asset of Pakistan cricket. “Saim’s treatment will be done in the best hospital in the world and in this regard all the resources will be used for his treatment. We hope that the left-handed batter will make a full recovery before the ICC Champions Trophy.”

Saim will travel to London from Cape Town on the first available flight and Assistant Coach Azhar Mahmood will accompany him. Despite prolonged treatment outside the boundary line, Ayub was unable to put any weight on his right ankle, and appeared to be in tears as he was placed on to a stretcher and taken off. He was later seen on crutches in the medical boot. The PCB later said he would be ruled out for six weeks, which puts him in a race against time to be fit for the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.