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.”

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

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)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.

Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.

James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.

Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.

Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.

Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.

Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.

Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)