Pakistan’s Saim Ayub, left, celebrates with teammates.
Pakistani cricketer Saim Ayub’s struggles at the crease intensified with his fourth duck in five innings during a recent Asia Cup Super Four match against Bangladesh. This dismal batting form prompted legendary former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis to strongly advocate for Ayub’s removal from the team’s starting lineup. While the 23-year-old all-rounder has only managed to score 21 runs against India in the tournament, he has notably picked up six wickets with his bowling performances.
Ayub’s latest dismissal occurred when he attempted to hit Mahedi Hasan’s full delivery over the infield, resulting in a catch at mid-on after the ball struck the inner half of his bat. This continued his disappointing run of form with the bat throughout the tournament.
Despite Ayub’s contributions with the ball, Waqar Younis voiced his significant concerns about the youngster’s batting during his commentary on SonyLiv. The Pakistan cricket icon stressed the importance of protecting budding talent by occasionally resting them from the playing XI.
“Look, I said it after the second duck, I said this guy needs to be benched. It’s not that he is not talented; he is very talented. I think he is the future of Pakistan cricket. But sometimes when things are not going right for you, you just keep going in the shell, keep going down and down, and that’s what is happening here with him. His body language was poor this afternoon when he walked onto the field,” Younis stated, highlighting the psychological toll of continuous poor form.
Younis further clarified his position on Ayub’s role, emphasizing that the focus should be squarely on his batting prowess rather than his bowling capabilities.
“You know, he is a youngster, you really need to look after them sometimes, by just not playing them sometimes. Pakistan kept on playing him, just purely because he can bowl. You don’t need to worry about his bowling; Pakistan needs to worry about his batting. If he is going to give us runs or not. At the moment, it’s not happening. He needs to dig deeper in his game to score a few runs,” Younis added.
The young all-rounder’s only notable batting contribution in the tournament was his 21 runs from 17 balls against India in the Super Four stage. This remains his sole significant score across his five innings in the 2025 Asia Cup.
While Ayub’s bowling performances have been a positive aspect for Pakistan, securing six wickets before the Bangladesh match, his struggles with the bat have largely overshadowed these contributions.
The debate surrounding Ayub’s place in the squad underscores the complex challenge of nurturing young talent in high-pressure international cricket. It’s a delicate balance, especially when players excel in one area of their game while struggling in another over an extended period.
The current situation presents a difficult decision for the Pakistan team management. They must weigh the long-term development of a player widely regarded as a future star against the immediate demands of team performance in a crucial tournament like the Asia Cup.
Ayub’s recent failures at the wicket and his visibly affected body language suggest a dip in confidence. Younis’s recommendation to temporarily remove him from the playing XI aims to provide the necessary respite for him to regain his batting touch and confidence away from the intense spotlight.
Ultimately, the ongoing discussion about Ayub’s selection highlights a fundamental truth of international cricket: players must consistently perform across all facets of their game to secure and justify their spot in the starting eleven.