Shahid Afridi: “Saim Ayub is definitely a talent to watch for the future”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan power-hitter Shahid Afridi has selected opening batsman Saim Ayub as a “talent to watch for the future”.
Ayub has provided plenty of entertainment over the past couple of months as he has been racking up big scores and playing an aggressive brand of cricket that features plenty of big shots.
He featured in Pakistan’s ODI series against Australia and scored 125 runs in three matches, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
The 22-year-old continued to dominate in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, amassing 155 runs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the T20I series that followed, he ended up with 60 runs in two games at an average of 60.
Pakistan then embarked on a tour of South Africa and Ayub began with 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
He then proceeded to make 235 runs in the three-match ODI series, which included two centuries, at an average of 78.33.
As for the two-Test series, he finished with 41 runs at an average 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.
Having put his skills on full display in the last few series, Afridi conceded that Ayub is no doubt special and can be a huge asset for the men in green if he keeps posting big scores.
“Saim Ayub is definitely a talent to watch for the future,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Due to his injury, Ayub missed Pakistan’s two-Test series against the West Indies in Multan, which ended as a 1-1 draw.
He is now in a race against time to be fit for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19 to March 9.
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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