Aaqib Javed: “Saim initially struggled but later created an impact”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan Director of High-Performance Aaqib Javed has applauded opening batsman Saim Ayub for managing to have an impact after initially struggling in his international career.
Ayub had a disappointing start when he first started playing for Pakistan, but has started to turn things around with a number of outstanding performances.
The 23-year-old recently played in Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Bangladesh and scored 49 runs at an average of 16.33 and a strike-rate of 144.11.
He then toured Bangladesh with the men in green and mustered 28 runs in three T20Is at an average of 9.33 and a strike-rate of 121.73.
Next up was the white-ball tour of the West Indies, where Ayub started off with 130 runs in three T20Is, which included two fifties, at an average of 43.33 and a strike-rate of 135.41.
In the ODI series, he was restricted to 28 runs in three games at an average of 9.33.
Pakistan then played a T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan, which they won.
In five matches, Ayub made 111 runs, which included a top score of 69, at an average of 22.20 and a strike-rate of 132.14.
“Saim initially struggled but later created an impact,” Aaqib was quoted as saying by ARY News.
Pakistan are now taking part in the 2025 Asia Cup, which is being held in the UAE.
So far, Ayub has not had an impact at all as he has made 21 runs in four games, which includes three ducks, at an average of 5.25 and a strike-rate of 100.
The men in green began their campaign with a 93-run win over Oman before losing to India by seven wickets.
They rebounded to defeat the UAE by 41 runs, which also earned them a spot in the Super Four.
Pakistan’s Super Four journey didn’t get off to the best start as they lost to India by six wickets.
Next up for them will be a clash against Sri Lanka on September 23 in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan squad for UAE T20I tri-series and 2025 Asia Cup: 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, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem