David Warner: “Saim Ayub is one of the best opening batsmen. He hit sixes against Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Australia batsman David Warner has lauded Pakistan opener Saim Ayub, saying he hits sixes against top-class bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa.
Given how effortless Ayub makes run-scoring and power-hitting look, Warner called him “one of the best opening batsmen” in international cricket right now.
The 22-year-old has been in brilliant form over the last few months as he scored 125 runs in three ODIs against Australia, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
Following this, he made 155 runs in three ODIs against Zimbabwe, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the T20I series, he ended up with 60 runs in two games at an average of 60.
The Karachi native was then involved in Pakistan’s series against South Africa and hammered 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
He didn’t cool down at all in the ODI series, making 235 runs, which included two hundreds, at an average of 78.33.
As for the two-Test series, Ayub ended up 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 on the opening day.
“Saim Ayub is one of the best opening batsmen. He hit sixes against Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa,” Warner was quoted as saying on X, formerly known as Twitter.
As a result of his ankle injury, Ayub missed Pakistan’s two-Test series against the West Indies, which ended as a 1-1 draw.
He was also ruled out of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, and the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will take place from February 19 to March 9.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
[TS_Poll id=”161″]