Shahid Afridi: “Yes, Saim Ayub’s absence will be felt, but now it’s time to forget that and support the entire squad. There’s no point in repeatedly mentioning Saim Ayub now”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes people need to forget about opening batsman Saim Ayub for now as he is currently out of action with a fractured ankle.
The 22-year-old had been in sublime form prior to his injury as he scored three ODI centuries and a career-best 98 not out in T20Is, all of which came during Pakistan’s tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Having missed Pakistan’s two-Test series against the West Indies, the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, and the 2025 Champions Trophy, Afridi insisted that fans must temporarily move on from Ayub and throw their support behind the players in the team right now.
“Yes, Saim Ayub’s absence will be felt, but now it’s time to forget that and support the entire squad. There’s no point in repeatedly mentioning Saim Ayub now. We need to focus on the players who are part of the squad and back them wholeheartedly,” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Pakistan were unable to make it out of the group stage of the Champions Trophy as they lost to New Zealand and India.
Their final game against Bangladesh was washed out, meaning they failed to win a single match throughout the tournament.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a tour of New Zealand, which will consist of five T20Is and three ODIs that will be played 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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