Tanvir Ahmed: “If Saim Ayub gives a top-class performance in the Champions Trophy, then he will rule world cricket, mark my words”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed believes if opening batsman Saim Ayub is fit to play in the 2025 Champions Trophy and puts up a “top-class performance”, he “will rule world cricket”.
Ayub has been in magnificent form in the limited overs formats over the past couple of months and has showcased just how much talent he possesses.
During Pakistan’s tour of Australia, he scored 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
Following this, he travelled to Zimbabwe with the men in green and amassed 155 runs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the T20Is that followed, he made 60 runs in two matches at an average of 60.
Pakistan then toured South Africa and Ayub maintained his momentum in the T20I series, accumulating 129 runs in two games, which included a career-best 98 not out, at an average of 129.
He then went on to make 235 runs in three ODIs, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
As for the two-Test series, the 22-year-old mustered 41 runs at an average of 20.50. However, he didn’t bat at all in the 2nd Test in Cape Town as he fractured his ankle while fielding on the opening day and will be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Ayub is now in a race against time to make a full recovery for the Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19 to March 9.
“If Saim Ayub gives a top-class performance in the Champions Trophy, then he will rule world cricket, mark my words,” Tanvir said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a two-Test series against the West Indies, which will be held in Karachi and Multan from January 16 to 28.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha