Shahid Afridi: “I don’t want bowling from Sam Ayub, I want runs from him”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan power-hitter Shahid Afridi has urged opening batsman Saim Ayub to focus on his primary role of scoring runs instead of taking wickets.
Ayub has been increasingly utilised as a bowler due to his knack for delivering crucial breakthroughs with his off-spin.
However, given the 23-year-old’s inconsistent form in recent months, Afridi urged him to prioritise his batting, emphasising that he is in the team to make big scores.
“I don’t want bowling from Sam Ayub, I want runs from him,” he told Samaa TV as quoted by NDTV.
Ayub recently featured in the 2025 Asia Cup and flopped with the bat, scoring 37 runs in seven games at an average of 5.28 and a strike-rate of 97.36.
While he didn’t live up to expectations with the bat, Ayub performed brilliantly with the ball, claiming eight wickets at an average of 16 and an economy rate of 6.40.
Pakistan are now facing South Africa on hone soil and began by drawing the two-Test series 1-1.
Ayub returned for the three-match T20I series and amassed 108 runs, which included a top score of 71 not out, at an average of 54 and a strike-rate of 150.
Bowling-wise, he claimed two wickets at an average of 18 and an economy rate of 7.20.
Pakistan and South Africa are now playing three ODIs, where the men in green are 1-0 up.
In the 1st ODI, Ayub scored 39 runs and took two wickets.
Next up for Pakistan will be a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka from November 11 to 15, which will be followed by a T20I tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe between November 17 and 29.
Pakistan squad for South Africa ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem
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