Ramiz Raja: “Saim Ayub’s form in batting is crucial to remain consistent because when he plays, he makes the match one-sided. If he plays 30 overs, he could easily score 150”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja believes opening batsman Saim Ayub can easily score 150 runs in 30 overs.
He noted that Ayub is such an exciting talent as he “makes the match one-sided” due to his raw hitting power.
That said, Ramiz pointed out it is important for the 22-year-old to score runs consistently as that will be his job when playing at the top of the order.
“Saim Ayub’s form in batting is crucial to remain consistent because when he plays, he makes the match one-sided. If he plays 30 overs, he could easily score 150,” he was quoted as saying by TOK Sports on X, formerly known as Twitter.
During Pakistan’s tour of Australia, Ayub scored 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
He did even better in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, racking up 155 runs, which included a career-best 113 not out, at an average of 77.50.
In the T20I series, he finished with 60 runs in two games at an average of 60.
The Karachi native then went to South Africa with the Pakistan team and continued to dominate, amassing 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 struck 235 runs, which included two hundreds, at an average of 78.33.
As for the two-Test series, Ayub only 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 on the opening day.
Due to his injury, he missed Pakistan’s two-Test series against the West Indies in Multan, which ended as a 1-1 draw.
He was also ruled out of the ongoing 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
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