Shoaib Akhtar: “Give Saim Ayub the license to go all out attack”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar wants opening batsman Saim Ayub to be given “the license to go all out attack”.
With Ayub having showcased his power-hitting skills on many occasions, Akhtar called on the team management to let the 23-year-old maintain his attacking approach, as it is crucial for Pakistan’s success.
“Give Saim Ayub the license to go all out attack and he can finish the match in one over by scoring 18 runs,” the Rawalpindi Express, who holds the record for the fastest ball bowled at 161.3 kph (100.2 mph), was quoted as saying by journalist Farid Khan on X, formerly known as Twitter.
During Pakistan’s T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan, Ayub amassed 111 runs in five matches, which included a top score of 69, at an average of 22.20 and a strike-rate of 132.14.
The Karachi native saw his form plunge during the 2025 Asia Cup as he could only muster 37 runs in seven games at an average of 5.28 and a strike-rate of 97.36.
Pakistan made it to the final of the tournament, but failed to win it as they lost to India by five wickets.
Next up for the men in green will be a home series against South Africa from October 12 to November 8.
The series will consist of two Tests, three T20Is, and three ODIs.
Pakistan squad for South Africa Test series: Shan Masood (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi