Mohammad Hafeez: “[He] will represent Pakistan for up to the next 15 years”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez believes opening batsman Saim Ayub is good enough to play international cricket for the next 15 years.
Ayub has shown just how destructive he can be over the past couple of months, which will come as a relief for many people since the 22-year-old didn’t have the best of starts to his career.
During Pakistan’s tour of Australia, he amassed 125 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 41.66.
Ayub then proceeded to make 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 struck 60 runs in two matches at an average of 60.
Following this, Pakistan embarked on a tour of South Africa and Ayub continued where he left off, hammering 129 runs in two T20Is, which included a career-best knock of 98 not out, at an average of 129.
He remained red-hot in the ODIs as well, scoring 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.
Having witnessed Ayub’s incredible batting and the immense firepower he possesses, Hafeez thinks the youngster has a long and prosperous future ahead of him.
“[He] will represent Pakistan for up to the next 15 years,” he told Samaa TV.
Due to his ankle injury, Ayub missed Pakistan’s two-Test series against the West Indies, which ended as a 1-1 draw.
He also missed the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, along with the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India in the Champions Trophy, which resulted in them getting knocked out in the group stage.
Their final game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a limited overs tour of New Zealand, which will consist of five T20Is and three ODIs that will be held from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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