Yasir Hameed: “He must learn to occupy the crease. Only then will his shots develop and his game mature for the international stage”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed wants to see opener Saim Ayub “occupy the crease” and play longer innings instead of producing quickfire cameos.
Ayub had been in dismal form during the 2025 Asia Cup, where he was restricted to 37 runs in seven matches, which included four ducks, at an average of 5.28 and a strike rate of 97.36.
However, the 23-year-old bounced back in Pakistan’s recently-concluded series against South Africa as he made 108 runs in three T20Is, which included a top score of 71 not out, at an average of 54 and a strike-rate of 150.
As for the three-match ODI series, Ayub continued to do well with the bat, scoring 169 runs, which included two fifties, at an average of 56.33.
Hameed wants the Karachi native to spend more time at the crease, as this will help him develop his game and turn into a serious batting threat.
“He must learn to occupy the crease. Only then will his shots develop and his game mature for the international stage,” he told PakPassion.
Pakistan are already back in action as they are taking on Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series, where Ayub has amassed 39 runs in two games at an average of 19.50.
After the ODIs, the men in green will compete in a T20I tri-series alongside Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 18 to 29.
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, 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, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
Reserves: Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem
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