Ricky Ponting: “Saim Ayub looks like a terrific player with a bright future ahead”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Australia captain Ricky Ponting is confident Pakistan opening batsman Saim Ayub has “a bright future ahead” as he “looks like a terrific player”.
Ayub has been stealing the spotlight with his epic performances over the last couple of months as he has been posting big scores regularly.
During Pakistan’s white-ball 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.
As for the three-match T20I series, Ayub ended up with 60 runs in two games at an average of 60.
Pakistan then went to South Africa and Ayub kicked off his campaign with 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 didn’t cool down at all as he accumulated 235 runs, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
“Saim Ayub looks like a terrific player with a bright future ahead,” Ponting was quoted as saying by Khel Shel on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Most recently, Ayub was in action in the two-Test series against South Africa, where he scored 41 runs at an average of 20.50.
However, it should be noted that he didn’t bat in the 2nd Test in Cape Town as he fractured his ankle while fielding on the opening day and will now be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a two-Test series against the West Indies, which will be played 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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