Mohammad Naeem vs Saim Ayub: Who Deserves a Spot in Pakistan’s T20I Side?

[Cricket Warrior]

With Pakistan’s T20I top order still lacking consistency, fans and analysts alike are debating a crucial question. Is it time to move on from Saim Ayub and give Mohammad Naeem a proper run? Saim, despite being backed heavily by the management has failed to convert his potential into performances at the international level, struggling for runs and composure in recent outings.

In contrast, Mohammad Naeem has been one of the standout openers in the last PSL season, showing fearless intent, solid technique and the ability to anchor or accelerate when needed. His performances for Lahore Qalandars have sparked calls for inclusion in the national side, especially with Pakistan’s T20I batting still in flux. With one opener struggling and another knocking hard on the door the selectors have a real decision to make.

So if you had to pick one today, Saim or Naeem.. who would it be and why?

 

[sweep_shot]

I think Saim should be persisted with for a while.

He also contributes with the ball. So, he has an additional utlity.

 

[Inswing]

Too early to give up on Saim. I feel his injury recovery maybe wasn't good enough and we have rushed him into the team.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

I feel Saim is not strong mentally. Naeem looks better in that aspect.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Naeem hasn't even played domestic. Be serious people.

 

[cricketmania22]

lol Naeem has zero technique. He won’t last more than 5 matches in international cricket. Be real guys.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Saim can play as a bowler because management is desperately trying to turn him into one.. His batting has been a hit or miss... More like Afridi..

 

[Devadwal]

From a generational talent ......to Talk of including in FAB 4 .....To compared with unknown Pakistan batsman for the opening slot( Not just Naeem but Hasan Nawaz as well)

Sochta hoon ke woh kitne masoom the.....Kya se kya ho gaye dekhte dekhte

 

[jnaveen1980]

If Saim is better for ODI format Pakistan should happily swap him with someone else. T20 cricket quiet often ruins your basic reaction game. If Pakistan management genuinely believes he is cut above the rest and has fairly strong fundamentsl as a batsman they should not play him in T20. That can corrupt your batting technique badly and you will start sucking in other formats as well.

 

[shamaan]

Too early to give up on Saim. I feel his injury recovery maybe wasn't good enough and we have rushed him into the team.

Sorry but we can't be using this excuses now.

 

[imran1976]

There's no harm in trying another Tulla batsman

 

[Cricket Warrior]

lol Naeem has zero technique. He won’t last more than 5 matches in international cricket. Be real guys.

Haha but what technically sound players like saim doing there?

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Naeem has potential and he also bowls a bit. That's a 2D player and that's what you need in T20 cricket.

Saim & Naeem should both be playing while one of Sahibzada & Haris should be in the team as the keeper batter. Fakhar stays for a while but Agha has no place in the team. It's hard to build a good team without the TTFs which is saddening. The next batch has disappointed as a whole, Arafat, Jahandad, Saad, Mehran, etc. have all failed to delivery anything.

Naeem
Saim
Haris/Sahibzada (keeper)
Fakhar
Hassan
Nawaz/Samad/Niazi
Shadab/Fahim/Any other better all-rounder if there's any
Abbas/Jahandad
Shaheen
Nasim/Waseem
Abrar

I will also graduate Ali Raza and Akif to the T20 team now. They should be in the mix as well for the playing 11.

 

[G0rmintAunty]

Everyone not playing is always better than the current players. No matter who you bring in, it will end in tears. We are too far behind (in every metric) and given our system and corruption we aren't going in an upward trajectory for the next 15-20 years at the least.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Lol are we really comparing Naeem to Saim now? Pak fans jump on bandwagons as quickly as they get off them.

Naeem is good power-hitter and definitely someone with alot of potential. But when he will play international cricket he will likely get exposed in the same way that other Pakistani batsmen have been in the past. He will struggle to rotate the strike, he will likely play alot of dot balls if he can't hit boundaries, he will get bounced out...

PSL is rarely ever a good gauge of a player's skill-level. And this kid hasn't even played domestic cricket yet.

Also, if you guys really think that Saim Ayub isn't the most complete batting talent to come out of Pakistan in ages then I don't think you understand cricket particularly well.