Ricky Ponting: “Saim Ayub is a youthful talent, a bit like Dewald Brevis. If he delivers a couple of strong performances, Pakistan becomes hard to beat”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Australia captain Ricky Ponting has compared Pakistan opener Saim Ayub to South Africa batsman Dewald Brevis, highlighting the youngster’s potential on the international stage.
Ponting described Ayub as someone who “is a youthful talent” and believes he could make Pakistan a difficult side to beat if he delivers consistent, impactful performances.
Ayub, however, has endured a turbulent run with the bat in international cricket and faced criticism over failing to score regularly.
That said, the 24-year-old from Karachi has recently shown signs of evolution in his game, adding value as a handy spin-bowling option.
“Saim Ayub is a youthful talent, a bit like Dewald Brevis. If he delivers a couple of strong performances, Pakistan becomes hard to beat,” Ponting was quoted as saying by Khel Shel.
Pakistan are now gearing up to play Test series against the West Indies and England, but Ayub was not included in the squad.
The men in green will play two Tests against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to August 6.
They will then head to England for three Tests from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah