Saim Ayub: “I’ve talked a lot about Babar bhai over the past two years. He treats everyone equally and makes batting partnerships enjoyable. I always plan my approach according to who I’m batting with”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan opening batsman Saim Ayub enjoys batting with Babar Azam, noting that the former captain “treats everyone equally”.
Azam has struggled for consistency for quite some time, but appears to be slowly finding his form again as he has put up solid performances over the past couple of months.
During Pakistan’s limited overs tour of New Zealand, the 30-year-old accumulated 129 runs, which included two fifties, at an average of 43.
He then captained the Peshawar Zalmi in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is the same team Ayub plays for, and struck 288 runs in 10 matches, which included three fifties, at an average of 36 and a strike-rate of 128.57.
“I’ve talked a lot about Babar bhai over the past two years. He treats everyone equally and makes batting partnerships enjoyable. I always plan my approach according to who I’m batting with,” Ayub was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
After PSL 10, Pakistan took on Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series, but Azam was not picked in the team.
Ayub, however, made the cut and mustered 49 runs in three games at an average of 16.33 and a strike-rate of 144.11.
The men in green ended up beating Bangladesh 3-0.
Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper) and Saim Ayub