Fakhar Zaman: “Someone asked me in Lahore and I told him that he is Babar Azam’s updated version”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan power-hitter Fakhar Zaman reckons opening batsman Saim Ayub is an updated version of Babar Azam.
Ayub has shown plenty of potential, but still has a long way to go before reaching Azam’s level.
Despite this, Zaman has backed the 23-year-old, who is a big-hitter in his own right, to achieve great things in his career.
“Someone asked me in Lahore and I told him that he is Babar Azam’s updated version,” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Ayub recently took part in Pakistan’s T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan in Sharjah, which the men in green won.
In five matches, he made 111 runs, which included a top score of 69, at an average of 22.20 and a strike-rate of 132.14.
Ayub then featured in the 2025 Asia Cup and endured a difficult time with the bat as he mustered 37 runs in seven games at an average of 5.28 and a strike-rate of 97.36.
Pakistan made it to the final in the Asia Cup, but failed to get over the line as India beat them by five wickets.
Next up for the men in green will be a home series against South Africa that will comprise two Tests, three T20Is, and three ODIs.
The series will be held from October 12 to November 8.
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
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