Abdur Rauf: “There is one and only king at the toughest Australian and South African bowling paradise soils which is none other than
Saim Ayub. What an amazing, exceptional talent he is”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan fast bowler Abdur Rauf said the “one and only king” in the national team right now is opening batsman Saim Ayub.
Ayub has been dominating with the bat over the past couple of months and racking up numerous big scores, which will be a relief for many people after his disappointing start to international cricket.
The 22-year-old recently featured in Pakistan’s limited overs series against Australia and made 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
He then took part in three ODIs against Zimbabwe and ended up with 155 runs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the T20Is, he amassed 60 runs in two games at an average of 60.
Pakistan just finished touring South Africa and Ayub kicked things off with 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
Following this, the Karachi native struck 235 runs in the three-match ODI series, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
Having seen Ayub bossing it with the bat, Rauf conceded that the youngster is “an amazing, exceptional talent”.
“There is one and only king at the toughest Australian and South African bowling paradise soils which is none other than
Saim Ayub. What an amazing, exceptional talent he is,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
After the ODIs, Pakistan and South Africa played a two-Test series, which the Proteas won 2-0.
Ayub finished with 41 runs at an average of 20.50, but it should be noted that he didn’t bat in the 2nd Test in Cape Town as he suffered a fractured ankle while fielding on the opening day and will be out of action for up to six weeks.
Next up for Pakistan will be a two-Test series against the West Indies, which will take place in Karachi and Multan from January 16 to 28.
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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