Shahid Afridi: “We need runs from Saim Ayub instead [of] performance with the ball. Babar Azam should open in case Saim does not score”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Iconic Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has urged opening batsman Saim Ayub to focus on scoring runs rather than taking wickets with his spin bowling.
He stressed that Ayub plays a crucial role at the top of the order, with the responsibility of providing strong starts for the men in green.
Amid the 24-year-old’s inconsistency with the bat, particularly in T20Is, Afridi believes Babar Azam should be promoted to open the innings if Ayub continues to struggle.
Azam previously opened for Pakistan in the shortest format and enjoyed considerable success, although he often faced criticism over his strike-rate.
“We need runs from Saim Ayub instead [of] performance with the ball. Babar Azam should open in case Saim does not score,” Afridi was quoted as saying by journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X.
Ayub hasn’t been picked for Pakistan’s tours of the West Indies and England, which will see Azam return as Test captain.
Pakistan will play two Tests against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to August 6 before heading to England for three Tests between August 19 and 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