Ahmed Shehzad: “Saim has to learn the art of scoring runs. He should go back to domestic cricket, play ‘A’ tours. There is no need to discard him completely”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad doesn’t want opening batsman Saim Ayub to be discarded completely and instead urged him to “learn the art of scoring runs.”
Ayub’s batting has been highly inconsistently, even though he has received plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent at the international level.
Shehzad noted that if the 23-year-old continues to struggle, he should return to domestic cricket or play for the Pakistan Shaheens instead.
“Saim has to learn the art of scoring runs. He should go back to domestic cricket, play ‘A’ tours. There is no need to discard him completely,” he was quoted as saying by ARY News.
Ayub had a forgettable 2025 Asia Cup campaign, scoring only 37 runs in seven matches, which included four ducks, at an average of 5.28 and a strike rate of 97.36.
Pakistan just concluded their home series against South Africa, but Ayub did not participate in the two Tests that were played.
He returned in the three-match T20I series and compiled 108 runs, which included an unbeaten 71, at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 150.
He carried his momentum into the three-match ODI series as he accumulated 169 runs, which included two fifties, at an average of 56.33.
In the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, Ayub saw his form cool down as he was restricted to 39 runs in two games at an average of 19.50.
As for the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, the Karachi native finished with 118 runs at an average of 23.60 and a strike-rate of 114.56.
[TS_Poll id=”85″]