Yasir Hameed: “Saim is failing because he tries to do something extra when he bats”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed believes opener Saim Ayub is failing because he “tries to do something extra when he bats.”
Ayub is one of the most promising young cricketers in Pakistan, but his inconsistency in scoring runs has frustrated a lot of people.
Hameed believes the 23-year-old should simplify his batting approach and concentrate on compiling large scores.
“Saim is failing because he tries to do something extra when he bats,” Hameed told PakPassion.
During the 2025 Asia Cup, Ayub endured a horrendous time with the bat as he made 37 runs in seven matches, which included four ducks, at an average of 5.28 and a strike-rate of 97.36.
Pakistan are now taking on South Africa on home soil, but he didn’t play in the two-Test series.
The Karachi native returned for the three T20Is and had a much better showing, racking up 108 runs, which included a top score of 71 not out, at an average of 54 and a strike-rate of 150.
As for the ongoing three-match ODI series, Ayub has amassed 92 runs in two games, which includes a top score of 53, at an average of 46.
Following the South Africa series, Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka from November 11 to 15, before participating in a T20I tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 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