Mohammad Rizwan: “He is exceptional, he’s [a] different thing for Pakistan. We believe, we trust him, he’s going to do some more for Pakistan”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Limited overs captain Mohammad Rizwan believes opening batsman Saim Ayub brings something different to the Pakistan team.
Ayub has been a standout performer for the men in green in their last few series and looks set to have a long and successful career.
During the tour of Australia, he amassed 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
Following this, he was selected for Pakistan’s white-ball series against Zimbabwe and began by making 155 runs in three ODIs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the Three T20Is, Ayub struck 60 runs in two games at an average of 60.
Pakistan then travelled to South Africa and the 22-year-old has continued to impress, scoring 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
He then proceeded to accumulate 235 runs in three ODIs, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
With Ayub starting to make his presence felt at the international level, Rizwan is confident that the Karachi native will “do some more for Pakistan”.
“He is exceptional, he’s [a] different thing for Pakistan. We believe, we trust him, he’s going to do some more for Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying by PakPassion on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan and South Africa just finished playing a two-Test series, which the Proteas won 2-0.
Ayub made 41 runs at an average of 20.50, but 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 out of action for up to six weeks.
Next up for Pakistan 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 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
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