Fractured ankle rules out Pakistan opener Saim Ayub for at least six weeks

CENTURION, South Afica (AP) — Pakistan all-format opening batter Saim Ayub has been ruled out of cricket for at least six weeks because of fractured ankle and has put his participation in serious doubt for next month's Champions Trophy.

Ayub twisted his right ankle while fielding on the opening day of the second and final test against South Africa and was taken off the field by stretcher on Friday.

“An MRI conducted Friday afternoon confirmed the fracture,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement on Saturday.

The PCB said Ayub will remain with the team and travel back to Pakistan next week.

Ayub’s injury is a big blow to Pakistan. The left-handed opener had been in prolific form, especially in white-ball cricket, scoring two centuries as Pakistan swept South Africa 3-0 in the ODI series last month.

The ankle injury also put Ayub’s participation in doubt for next month’s Champions Trophy which begins Feb. 19 at Karachi when Pakistan takes on New Zealand in the opening match.

Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha termed Ayub’s injury a big setback for Pakistan’s bid to level the two-test series in South Africa. South Africa won the first test to qualify for the World Test Championship at Lord's in June.

“It’s a big blow, the kind of form he’s in,” Salman had said on Friday after South Africa scored a formidable 316-4 on Day 1 of the second test. “He would have been a great asset on this wicket. I wish him well and hopefully he’ll be better soon.”

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Pakistan's Saim Ayub is helped from the field after injuring his ankle while fielding the ball during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Pakistan's Saim Ayub, left, injures his ankle as Babar Azam and Aamir Jamal show concern during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Pakistan's Saim Ayub, left, sits injured on the ground during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Pakistan's Saim Ayub, left, injures his ankle during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Pakistan's Saim Ayub is helped from the field after injuring his ankle while fielding the ball during the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A group of Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines ⁠on Monday to process special immigrant visas for their resettlement in the United States, as part of an agreement between Manila and Washington.

The Philippines agreed last July to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals aspiring to resettle in America.

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said the Afghan nationals who landed in the Philippines on Monday were provided entry visas. She said they had completed extensive security vetting and undergone full medical screenings prior to their arrival.

The U.S. government will cover the costs for the Afghan nationals' stay in the Philippines, including their food, housing, security, medical and transportation expenses, she said.

She didn't specify how many Afghans arrived or how long the visa processing will take. Under the Philippines' rules, visa applicants can stay for no longer than 59 days.

A senior Philippine official told The Associated Press last year that only 150 to 300 applicants would be accommodated in the Philippines under the “one-time” deal. The official who had knowledge of the negotiations agreed to speak on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to speak publicly.

The Afghan nationals seeking resettlement primarily worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan or were deemed eligible for U.S. special immigrant visas but were left behind when Washington withdrew from the country and Taliban militants took back power in a chaotic period in 2021.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken first relayed the request to his Philippines counterpart in 2022, and President Joe Biden discussed the request with Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he visited the U.S. last year, Philippine officials said.

Marcos has rekindled relations with the U.S. since winning the presidency by a landslide margin two years ago. In February last year, he allowed an expansion of the American military presence under a 2014 defense agreement in a decision that upset China.

Ng contributed from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This photo provided by U.S. Embassy, Philippines, shows the arrival of Afghan U.S. Special Immigrant Visa Applicants in the Philippines Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (U.S. Embassy, Philippines via AP)

FILE - President Joe Biden, right, shakes hands with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on May 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)