Basit Ali: “He (Aaqib Javed) took a decision which translated into the brilliant performance of our player”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali is thankful that limited overs head coach Aaqib Javed kept giving chances to opening batsman Saim Ayub as it is starting to pay dividends.
Ayub got off to a slow start when he first appeared in international cricket, but his form has really taken off over the last couple of months.
During the tour of Australia, the 22-year-old made 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
He was then part of Pakistan’s limited overs series against Zimbabwe and kicked things off with 155 runs in three ODIs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the three-match T20I series, he accumulated 60 runs in two games at an average of 60.
Ayub maintained his newfound momentum in the ongoing tour of South Africa as he hammered 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
In the three ODIs that followed, he finished with 235 runs, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
As for the two-Test series, he ended up with 41 runs at an average of 20.50. However, it should be noted that Ayub 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.
Basit noted that Aaqib could have easily dropped Ayub when he wasn’t performing at his best, but is glad that he didn’t as the Karachi native is showing what a dominant force he can be.
“He (Aaqib Javed) took a decision which translated into the brilliant performance of our player,” he said on ARY News show Sports Room.
Pakistan are now involved in 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 started 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