Shoaib Malik: “Saim Ayub is such an explosive batter that he should be part of the team in all three formats”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik wants big-hitting opener Saim Ayub to keep playing in all three formats of the game as he is “such an explosive batter”.
Ayub has been in red-hot form as of late, which many people will be glad to see following his slow start in international cricket.
The 22-year-old featured 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.
Following this, he travelled to Zimbabwe with the national team and made 155 runs in three ODIs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
He then proceeded to amass 60 runs in two T20Is at an average of 60.
Ayub’s has continued to impress in the ongoing tour of South Africa as he struck 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
In the ODIs, he finished with 235 runs in three matches, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
“Saim Ayub is such an explosive batter that he should be part of the team in all three formats,” Malik was quoted as saying by respected journalist Saj Sadiq on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ayub is now expected to be involved in the two-Test series between Pakistan and South Africa, which gets underway 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