Pakistan opener Saim Ayub: “While batting’s my primary role, I’ve always relished contributing with the ball too”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan opening batsman Saim Ayub is known for his ability to score big runs, but he admitted he has “always relished contributing with the ball too”.
Ayub is transforming himself in a handy all-rounder as he is starting to take wickets with his off-spin and having a greater impact overall when bowling.
The 23-year-old is determined to keep developing his skills going forward so that he can contribute more to the team’s success.
“While batting’s my primary role, I’ve always relished contributing with the ball too,” he was quoted as saying by PakPassion on X, formerly known as Twitter.
During the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL), Ayub amassed 174 runs in 10 matches, which included a top score of 50, at an average of 17.40 and a strike-rate of 125.17.
He also took five wickets at an average of 32.60 and an economy rate of 8.57.
He then went on to make 49 runs in three T20Is against Bangladesh at an average of 16.33 and a strike-rate of 144.11.
Bowling-wise, he finished with one wicket at an average of 38 and an economy rate of 9.50.
After this, Pakistan toured Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series, but Ayub struggled to have an impact once again, mustering 28 runs at an average of 9.33 and a strike-rate of 121.73.
He couldn’t do anything with the ball either as he went wicketless.
Pakistan are now touring the West Indies for three T20Is and three ODIs.
Ayub rediscovered his form in the T20I series as he smashed 130 runs in three games, which included two fifties, at an average of 43.33 and a strike-rate of 135.41.
In addition to this, he picked up five wickets at an average of 15.60 and an economy rate of 7.80.
Pakistan and the West Indies are currently playing a three-match ODI series and Ayub began by scoring five wickets and taking one wicket.
The men in green won the 1st ODI by five wickets and will look to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 2nd ODI on August 10 in Trinidad.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem
Pakistan Squad for West Indies ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem
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