Ramiz Raja: “You can play Saim Ayub in the middle order because Shadab is not fit at No.5. If a proper batter comes in, it will bring some stability in the middle order”

Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja believes opening batsman Saim Ayub should be demoted and replace Shadab Khan at the number five spot.

Ayub has been given plenty of opportunities to prove himself at the international level, but has failed to make the most of his chances, scoring 292 runs in 22 T20Is at an average of 14.60 and a strike-rate of 123.72.

While Shadab has done well with the bat, he has underperformed with the ball as he hasn’t been able to take any wickets since Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand in April 2024.

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, the 25-year-old from Mianwali has featured in three games, but didn’t bowl in the matches against India and Canada.

As for Ayub, he only played in Pakistan’s game against Canada and was dismissed for six runs.

“You can play Saim Ayub in the middle order because Shadab is not fit at No.5. If a proper batter comes in, it will bring some stability in the middle order,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

Pakistan lost their first two matches against the United States of America and India before claiming a seven-wicket win over Canada.

Despite this, they will be eliminated in the group stage of the T20 World Cup and will look to conclude their campaign on a bright note when they face Ireland in Lauderhill on June 16.

Pakistan Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

MORE PAKISTAN CRICKET NEWS: Make him Pakistan’s number one spinner, Ramiz Raja demotes Shadab Khan

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