Saim Ayub: “The best thing about them (Azam and Rizwan) is that they have the best game sense. When you’re batting in the middle, the most important thing, especially in T20, is to know what to do in each situation. I’ve really learned a lot from them”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan opener Saim Ayub said he has “really learned a lot” from limited overs captain Mohammad Rizwan and star batsman Babar Azam.
He noted that the duo “have the best game sense” and confirmed that he has been trying to pick their brains in order to develop into a better cricketer.
The 22-year-old has started heating up after suffering a slow start to his international career.
During Pakistan’s tour of Australia, he amassed 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
He then proceeded to make 155 runs in three ODIs against Zimbabwe, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the three-match T20I series, he scored 60 runs in two games at an average of 60.
Ayub 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.
As for the ODI series that followed, he accumulated 235 runs in three matches, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
“The best thing about them (Azam and Rizwan) is that they have the best game sense. When you’re batting in the middle, the most important thing, especially in T20, is to know what to do in each situation. I’ve really learned a lot from them,” Ayub was quoted as saying by Grassroots Cricket on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan and South Africa are now playing a two-Test series, which began on December 26 in Centurion.
In the ongoing 1st Test, Ayub made scores of 14 and 27.
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