Saim Ayub: “I enjoy a lot, last year it was the case that I didn’t talk a lot with him [Babar] since I was new in this set-up”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Powerful Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has revealed that he didn’t talk to Babar Azam much initially as he was a newcomer.
However, as time progressed and they batted together more often, especially for the Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), their bond and chemistry grew.
The 21-year-old from Karachi admitted that he really looks forward to batting with Azam as he learns a lot from the 29-year-old.
“I enjoy a lot, last year it was the case that I didn’t talk a lot with him [Babar] since I was new in this set-up,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
“Then I started playing with him and represented Pakistan as well, so I have a very good understanding with him and now I enjoy a lot batting alongside him. And I constantly learn from him by talking as well as watching him bat.”
Ayub recently played for the Zalmi in the 2024 PSL, who were captained by Azam.
In the 11 matches he played, he amassed 345 runs, which included two half-centuries, at an average of 31.36 and a strike-rate of 157.53.
As for Azam, he finished as the highest run-scorer in PSL 9 with 569 runs in 11 games, which included a century and five fifties, at an average of 56.90 and a strike-rate of 142.60.
The Zalmi made it to the playoffs, but failed to book their spot in the final as they lost to the Multan Sultans in the Qualifier and eventual champions Islamabad United in Eliminator 2.
Peshawar Zalmi Squad for PSL 9: Babar Azam (captain), Rovman Powell, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Asif Ali, Mohammad Haris, Aamer Jamal, Naveen-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Salman Irshad, Arif Yaqoob, Umair Afridi, Dan Mousley, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Zeeshan, Mehran Mumtaz, Luke Wood, Sufiyan Muqeem, Waqar Salamkheil, Arshad Iqbal, Gus Atkinson, Shamar Joseph
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