Ramiz Raja: “Saim Ayub will [bring] firepower for Pakistan in Test cricket as well”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja believes opening batsman Saim Ayub “will [bring] firepower for Pakistan in Test cricket”.
Ayub has shown off his big-hitting abilities in limited overs cricket, especially in ODIs, where he already has three centuries to his name.
The 22-year-old recently played in Pakistan’s white-ball series against Australia and scored 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
He then travelled to Zimbabwe and accumulated 155 runs in three ODIs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the three T20Is that followed, he ended up with 60 runs in two games at an average of 60.
Pakistan are now in South Africa and the Karachi native has continued to impress, accumulating 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
After this, he struck 235 runs in three ODIs, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
Having been in dominant form in white-ball cricket, Ramiz now expects Ayub to do the same in Tests.
“Saim Ayub will [bring] firepower for Pakistan in Test cricket as well,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan and South Africa recently played a two-Test series and Ayub made 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 be out of action for up to six weeks.
As a result of his injury, he was not selected for the ongoing two-Test series against the West Indies, which Pakistan lead 1-0 after winning the 1st Test in Multan by 127 runs.
The 2nd Test will begin on January 25 in Multan.
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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