Salman Ali Agha: “Both have a long future ahead, both will serve Pakistan for a long time”
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Pakistan limited overs vice-captain Salman Ali Agha believes opening batsman Saim Ayub and left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem “will serve Pakistan for a long time”.
Ayub was recently in action in Pakistan’s limited overs series against Australia and scored 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
As for Muqeem, he featured in the three-match T20I series and took two wickets in two games at an average of 15.
After the Australia tour, Pakistan travelled to Zimbabwe and Ayub continued where he left off as he amassed 155 runs in three ODIs, which included a career-best knock of 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the three T20Is that followed, he finished with 60 runs in two matches at an average of 60.
Muqeem, meanwhile, dominated with the ball, claiming nine wickets in three games, which included a five-wicket haul, at a jaw-dropping average of 4.66.
Having seen stellar performances from both Ayub and Muqeem, Salman is confident that they have bright futures ahead.
“Both have a long future ahead, both will serve Pakistan for a long time,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan are now touring South Africa and despite losing the T20I series 2-0, Ayub was one of the men in green’s top performers as he accumulated 129 runs in two games, which included a career-best 98 not out, at an average of 129.
As for Muqeem, he picked up one wicket in one match at an average of 53.
Pakistan bounced back from their T20I series loss by securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing three-match ODI series.
In the first two matches, Ayub has made scores of 109 and 25.
The 3rd ODI will take place on December 22 in Johannesburg.
Once the ODIs are done, Pakistan and South Africa will play a two-Test series, which commences on December 26 in Centurion.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha
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