Babar Azam: “As a player, he is confident, so I was happy to see him batting”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Babar Azam said it is clear to him that opener Saim Ayub is playing with confidence as he has been brilliant over the past couple of months.
Ayub has been one of Pakistan’s best limited overs batsmen as he has been putting up big scores and helping the team win matches.
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.
He followed that up with 155 runs in three ODIs against Zimbabwe, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the three-match T20I series, the 22-year-old made 60 runs in two matches at an average of 60.
Pakistan then travelled to South Africa and Ayub began by scoring 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
He continued to impress in the ODI series, accumulating 235 runs in three matches, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
As for the two-Test series, the Karachi native finished with 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 sidelined for up to six weeks.
Even though Ayub is out of action right now, Azam has been amazed with his performances lately.
“As a player, he is confident, so I was happy to see him batting,” the 30-year-old told Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan are now playing a two-Test series against the West Indies, which they 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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