Azam Khan: “When you give players consistent chances, that’s when they truly have the opportunity to perform at their best”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan has lauded opener Saim Ayub’s meteoric rise as of late, saying this is what happens when a player is given “consistent chances”.
Ayub is regarded as one of Pakistan’s brightest prosects and has overcome his slow start in international cricket.
The 22-year-old featured in the limited overs series against Australia and scored 125 runs in three ODIs against Australia, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
He then proceeded to make 155 runs in Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
As for T20Is that followed, Ayub amassed 60 runs in two matches at an average of 60.
The Karachi native has shown no signs of slowing down in the ongoing tour of South Africa as he accumulated 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
In the three-match ODI series, he remained in outstanding form and finished with 235 runs, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
Having been given numerous opportunities to prove himself, Azam pointed out that Ayub is now starting to perform at his best.
“When you give players consistent chances, that’s when they truly have the opportunity to perform at their best,” he said on Instagram as quoted by Geo Super.
Pakistan and South Africa are currently facing each other in a two-Test series, which began on December 26 in Centurion.
In the first innings of the 1st Test, Ayub made 14 runs before being dismissed by Dane Paterson.
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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