Pakistan opener Saim Ayub: “It’s a bad phase, and it’s my fault and I’m the one who can do better. I’m just trying, what else can I do?”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan opening batsman Saim Ayub conceded that his batting form has been below par, but believes it’s merely “a bad phase.”
There has been growing pressure on him to deliver big scores, as inconsistency has been a recurring issue throughout his career.
During Pakistan’s home series against South Africa, Ayub started strong as he amassed 108 runs in three T20Is, which included an unbeaten 71, at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 150.
He remained in red-hot form throughout the ODI series, accumulating 169 runs in three matches, which included two fifties, at an average of 56.33.
However, Ayub began to cool down during the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka as he made 39 runs in two games at an average of 19.50.
Next came the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and Ayub once again struggled to score runs consistently as he finished with 118 runs in five games at an average of 23.60 and a strike-rate of 114.56
The 23-year-old from Karachi is now involved in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and has recorded scores of 28, 0 and 29 in his first three games for the Sylhet Titans.
Addressing his batting, Ayub accepted full responsibility, saying he has no one to blame but himself.
“It’s a bad phase, and it’s my fault and I’m the one who can do better. I’m just trying, what else can I do?” he was quoted as saying on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ayub will be back in action for Pakistan very soon as he was picked for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which will consist of three T20Is to be played in Dambulla from January 7 to 11.
Pakistan Squad for Sri Lanka T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq