Shoaib Malik: “He covers all bases and such a talent has arrived after a long time. We should not waste his talent”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has urged Pakistan not to misuse opening batsman Saim Ayub as “such a talent has arrived after a long time”.
Malik noted that Ayub needs to keep being nurtured as he “covers all bases” and can have a really successful international career.
The 22-year-old from Karachi was recently in action in Pakistan’s limited overs series against Australia and accumulated 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
During Pakistan’s trip to Zimbabwe, he continued to shine as he scored 155 runs in three ODIs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
He also took three wickets at an average of 19.
He followed that up with 60 runs in two T20Is at an average of 60.
Ayub has remained red-hot in the ongoing tour of South Africa as he smashed 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
As for the three-match ODI series, he didn’t slow down as all, making 235 runs, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
In addition to this, he claimed two wickets at an average of 34.
“He covers all bases and such a talent has arrived after a long time. We should not waste his talent,” Malik was quoted as saying by respected journalist Saj Sadiq on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan and South Africa are now playing a two-Test series, which the Proteas lead 1-0 after winning the 1st Test in Centurion by two wickets.
Ayub made scores of 14 and 27 in the 1st Test.
The 2nd Test started on January 3 in Cape Town, but Ayub suffered a fractured ankle while fielding on the opening day and will be sidelined for up to six weeks.
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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