[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Saim Ayub - the real deal or a flash in the pan?

[khyberlion]

Very unlucky in both innings got absolute beauties. Though he should have tried to defend the one which got him out in the second innings.

 

[Kianig89]

Work in progress as far Test cricket is concern

 

[BakuGM]

He will come good as he has all the the tools for Test format

 

[SpiritOf1903]

He's been brilliant after a rocky start but the dismissal today was cheap. He needs to apply himself better. Could be classified a brainfade

 

[Xoib]

Cannot call him a next big thing till he does something of note in red ball averages 25 after 7 tests turning out to be babar azam level test player

 

[Abid Z]

In addition to his batting he also has better potential as a spinner than Shadab Khan.

His spin is incredibly underrated by most. I think he can develop into a proper batting all rounder. His LO betting is good just needs to apply himself and not get carried away with red ball opening role especially in SENA. Get behind the ball more and rotate the strike more until he truly gets the measure of the pitch. There will always be a peach of a delivery he has to look out for

 

[jnaveen1980]

He is pakistan's next Mo Hafeez or Sohaib Malik.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

He is pakistan's next Mo Hafeez or Sohaib Malik.

was that a complememt?

 

[jnaveen1980]

was that a complememt?

Batsmen who could bowl off spin. Hafeez has 10 test centuries. 12 fifties averaging 37. That is a good conversion. Malik has 3.

 

[Farabi]

Batsmen who could bowl off spin. Hafeez has 10 test centuries. 12 fifties averaging 37. That is a good conversion. Malik has 3.

Having watched cricket since Hafeez and Malik's debuts, I can confidently say that Saim Ayub appears to be more talented than both of them combined. Despite playing over 500 ODIs collectively, neither Hafeez nor Malik produced an innings like the 3 Saim has already played in Australia and South Africa.

Saim Ayub might just be the most talented batter to debut for Pakistan since Saeed Anwar. Of course, he has a lot of work ahead of him to reach that level, but based on his debut performances, the potential is undeniable.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Saim is still not settled as a batter in Test cricket. He needs to work hard and think like a red ball batter to succeed at this level. SO far, i would still say that he is doing a much better job than what shan or Abduallah were doing.

 

[MHN1293]

He will eventually come good. He has shown he has the temparement for it in recent odi series and that he isn't just a brainless t20 hack

 

[Abid Z]

Having watched cricket since Hafeez and Malik's debuts, I can confidently say that Saim Ayub appears to be more talented than both of them combined. Despite playing over 500 ODIs collectively, neither Hafeez nor Malik produced an innings like the 3 Saim has already played in Australia and South Africa.

Saim Ayub might just be the most talented batter to debut for Pakistan since Saeed Anwar. Of course, he has a lot of work ahead of him to reach that level, but based on his debut performances, the potential is undeniable.

You have to define the format. Test cricket is the pinnacle of cricket especially in SENA. None of the names you mentioned including Saeed Anwar were extraordinary in SENA.

ODI are another thing altogether. Again you have to be careful saying too much about Saim just yet as he’s only played a handful of matches. Wish him well of course but let’s remember other talents like Nasir Jamshed for instance. Careers can quickly nosedive even if you are talented.

 

[Farabi]

You have to define the format. Test cricket is the pinnacle of cricket especially in SENA. None of the names you mentioned including Saeed Anwar were extraordinary in SENA.

ODI are another thing altogether. Again you have to be careful saying too much about Saim just yet as he’s only played a handful of matches. Wish him well of course but let’s remember other talents like Nasir Jamshed for instance. Careers can quickly nosedive even if you are talented.

I guess you didn’t follow the thread. I was responding to comparison of Saim with Hafeez and Malik.
It’s early days, but what differentiates Saim Ayub’s early success from that of Nasir and Imam are runs away in SA and Aus.
Saeed Anwar’s test career took many years to take off as well.
It’s still early days, we can only comment on raw talent at this point. His career can go any direction of course.

 

[Abid Z]

I guess you didn’t follow the thread. I was responding to comparison of Saim with Hafeez and Malik.
It’s early days, but what differentiates Saim Ayub’s early success from that of Nasir and Imam are runs away in SA and Aus.
Saeed Anwar’s test career took many years to take off as well.
It’s still early days, we can only comment on raw talent at this point. His career can go any direction of course.

Again. I’m saying define the format. Saim is not good in tests so far. He’s just ok. His bowling is useful. Talent doesn’t mean anything without results. His results are not particularly special in tests. For LO he’s ok.

 

[Farabi]

Again. I’m saying define the format. Saim is not good in tests so far. He’s just ok. His bowling is useful. Talent doesn’t mean anything without results. His results are not particularly special in tests. For LO he’s ok.

I’m not sure you fully understand the context of these comments. It’s premature to assess his performances in Tests and ODIs at this stage. At this point, we can only gauge early indicators of what his potential ceiling might be, and that’s a challenging and often elusive task.

Saim Ayub has shown excellent technique and temperament. His FC performance has been impressive, with an average of 75 last season and a double century in the QEA final. It has been fairly obvious that he’s an all format player before he debuted.
He’s also performed well in SA and Aus against quality attacks in ODIs. This is more than what Jamshed, Malik, and Hafeez managed in their entire ODI careers. They mostly thrived in Asian conditions and against spinners, but I haven't seen Malik or Hafeez score a dominating century in these conditions despite playing 100s of games. This was the context.

 

[Abid Z]

I’m not sure you fully understand the context of these comments. It’s premature to assess his performances in Tests and ODIs at this stage. At this point, we can only gauge early indicators of what his potential ceiling might be, and that’s a challenging and often elusive task.

Saim Ayub has shown excellent technique and temperament. His FC performance has been impressive, with an average of 75 last season and a double century in the QEA final. It has been fairly obvious that he’s an all format player before he debuted.
He’s also performed well in SA and Aus against quality attacks in ODIs. This is more than what Jamshed, Malik, and Hafeez managed in their entire ODI careers. They mostly thrived in Asian conditions and against spinners, but I haven't seen Malik or Hafeez score a dominating century in these conditions despite playing 100s of games. This was the context.

I think we are talking about different things considering this is a thread about Saim Ayub. So let’s do this a bit at a time.

There is nothing about Saim Ayub that fills me with confidence about his ability as a test opener. Absolutely nothing.

It’s lovely that he’s a good ODI opener. He’s done fabulously well and I think he’s a star in the making.

Once we get on page I will continue.

(Comparisons with others is simply a post script to say talented, fabulously looking players don’t always cut it at test level)

 

[Farabi]

I think we are talking about different things considering this is a thread about Saim Ayub. So let’s do this a bit at a time.

There is nothing about Saim Ayub that fills me with confidence about his ability as a test opener. Absolutely nothing.

It’s lovely that he’s a good ODI opener. He’s done fabulously well and I think he’s a star in the making.

Once we get on page I will continue.

(Comparisons with others is simply a post script to say talented, fabulously looking players don’t always cut it at test level)

As a test opener, he’s not a ready product but I can see the makings of a good test opener but agree that he’s not a finished product today.

 

[Farabi]

I think we are talking about different things considering this is a thread about Saim Ayub. So let’s do this a bit at a time.

There is nothing about Saim Ayub that fills me with confidence about his ability as a test opener. Absolutely nothing.

It’s lovely that he’s a good ODI opener. He’s done fabulously well and I think he’s a star in the making.

Once we get on page I will continue.

(Comparisons with others is simply a post script to say talented, fabulously looking players don’t always cut it at test level)

The other and I guess the most important on this is that there is nothing that you need to “feel”. You have to trust the data. He’s done well in the long format in domestic. Opening in tests is a hard gig and it won’t be easy, and he hasn’t had an ideal start to his test career. However, given his domestic performance in QEA specifically, I am HOPEFUL that he will be able to replicate it.

 

[Abid Z]

As a test opener, he’s not a ready product but I can see the makings of a good test opener but agree that he’s not a finished product today.

Ok now we are getting somewhere. We can agree he’s a fantastic Odi player and deserves a long rope. Let’s leave it there.

We are discussing tests. You say he’s not there yet and not the finished product. I agree.

Where we disagree is you say he will get there. I say this will take a long time if it ever comes. The simple reason is this. I have seen too many players who are good in LO but can’t cut it at test level. The skill set and mental application required is just too different. To be a good test player he would have to demonstrate the ability to respect conditions and bowlers and just bat out time. Play straight, blunt the attack and then cash in. The modern player brought up on a diet of Lo cricket especially leagues finds it too hard to adjust to the rigours of test cricket. The other way round is better but he’s not that. Too young and too inexperienced at FC level.

I don’t see the hunger in him to play long innings. Soon he will start believing that he’s a stroke maker and will stick to making fast 40’s or 50’s and getting out. This is ok for now. I hope he plays more like he did in the first innings occupy the crease more. Take singles.

There is a reason why certain players excel in South Africa. Gary Kirsten, Ashwel prince, Graeme smith even. They know how to drop anchor and play long innings. I hope he succeeds but nothing about him, nor the development of Mickey Mouse cricket suggests he will go on to be test player. I hope I’m wrong though.

 

[Hawkeye]

He’s fine.

Not everyone succeeds in all sorts of conditions in Tests. At least not in their initial days.

He should be able to pound runs in Australia, Asia at least. With time will get better against swing too.

 

[Farabi]

Ok now we are getting somewhere. We can agree he’s a fantastic Odi player and deserves a long rope. Let’s leave it there.

We are discussing tests. You say he’s not there yet and not the finished product. I agree.

Where we disagree is you say he will get there. I say this will take a long time if it ever comes. The simple reason is this. I have seen too many players who are good in LO but can’t cut it at test level. The skill set and mental application required is just too different. To be a good test player he would have to demonstrate the ability to respect conditions and bowlers and just bat out time. Play straight, blunt the attack and then cash in. The modern player brought up on a diet of Lo cricket especially leagues finds it too hard to adjust to the rigours of test cricket. The other way round is better but he’s not that. Too young and too inexperienced at FC level.

I don’t see the hunger in him to play long innings. Soon he will start believing that he’s a stroke maker and will stick to making fast 40’s or 50’s and getting out. This is ok for now. I hope he plays more like he did in the first innings occupy the crease more. Take singles.

There is a reason why certain players excel in South Africa. Gary Kirsten, Ashwel prince, Graeme smith even. They know how to drop anchor and play long innings. I hope he succeeds but nothing about him, nor the development of Mickey Mouse cricket suggests he will go on to be test player. I hope I’m wrong though.

I have a different assessment:

1. He’s shown glimpses of test batting in his ODI game. Scoring runs against quality pacers proves he has the basic technique and temperament needed for longer formats. In these games, he had to weather tough new-ball spells, playing very late with good foot movement. He isn’t rushed by pace and reads spinners well. His back-foot game is strong, and he knows when to defend and when to attack. ODI is a simpler version of test cricket, not a completely different sport.

2. While his domestic FC sample size isn't huge, he had a prolific QEA season, including a double century in the final. Last season, he averaged over 70 in FC cricket. This further proves he’s not just a stroke maker and knows how to stay at the wicket.

3. In interviews, he comes across as level-headed and thoughtful about the game. He doesn't seem like a flashy youngster, unlike Nazir.

His test career can go either way, but I’m confident he’ll figure it out.

 

[Farabi]

He’s fine.

Not everyone succeeds in all sorts of conditions in Tests. At least not in their initial days.

He should be able to pound runs in Australia, Asia at least. With time will get better against swing too.

I think people are overreacting too. SA is a terrible place to open. Before this, Pakistan made terrible batting wickets ball was turning square from first over. Only saud was able to cope

 

[FearlessRoar]

Saim Ayub’s heroics earns him a nomination for ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024!

Joining him are Kamindu Mendis, Gus Atkinson, and Shamar Joseph.

 

[Rana]

Saim Ayub’s heroics earns him a nomination for ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024!

Joining him are Kamindu Mendis, Gus Atkinson, and Shamar Joseph.

InshaAllah he wins it. Mendis has been a force in Test but nothing special in ODI and T20. Saim has been phenomenal since October. Mendis will most likely win it I feel

 

[shaz619]

I was really impressed with the potential Saim displayed in this innings; I think not only is his technique sound, with more confidence, experience & proactive mentorship he can display more intent as well. I think he is wired defensively but with all the attacking shots, he usually frees his arms once he gets going, the conditions are not easy in SA and he has found it difficult to negotiate lateral movement but there are many asian batters who struggle with that and he will only develop further the more red ball cricket he plays. Saim can be an all format batter, no doubt about it in my mind, my main concerns revolve around the environment he has to perform in and how his seniors will behave with him when the chips are down.

Anyway, Pakistan were set for a decent opening partnership until he got that Jaffa, I watched that ball live and though, this is the man, Rabada, this is why he was rested for the 2nd ODI so he could bowl that delivery during a crucial point in the match; no shame in going down that way to the best clean bowler in the world @IMMY69 @DeadlyVenom

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I was really impressed with the potential Saim displayed in this innings; I think not only is his technique sound, with more confidence, experience & proactive mentorship he can display more intent as well. I think he is wired defensively but with all the attacking shots, he usually frees his arms once he gets going, the conditions are not easy in SA and he has found it difficult to negotiate lateral movement but there are many asian batters who struggle with that and he will only develop further the more red ball cricket he plays. Saim can be an all format batter, no doubt about it in my mind, my main concerns revolve around the environment he has to perform in and how his seniors will behave with him when the chips are down.

Anyway, Pakistan were set for a decent opening partnership until he got that Jaffa, I watched that ball live and though, this is the man, Rabada, this is why he was rested for the 2nd ODI so he could bowl that delivery during a crucial point in the match; no shame in going down that way to the best clean bowler in the world @IMMY69 @DeadlyVenom

300 wickets at 21 - Rabada is in the GOAT conversation for sure and you are that right that delivery for a was a real Jaffa.

 

[DTrump]

Kid is talented. He needs to bat at 5/6 in tests to get the best out of him.
Test opening is hard. A stroke maker should not be wasted against the new ball.

 

[shamaan]

He has shown better application at the crease in this test and got out to very good balls.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Looks like Saim has injured his ankle today in the 2nd test against South Africa. Just 6-7 overs in and he is injured now.

This is looking pretty bad.

 

[RehanG]

any news on Saim?

 

[FearlessRoar]

any news on Saim?

Injury update on Saim Ayub

Saim Ayub has been ruled out of further participation in the second men’s cricket Test against South Africa after twisting his right ankle while fielding. Saim underwent X-rays and MRI tests this afternoon and the reports have been sent to specialists in London for further advice on the treatment and time away from competitive cricket.

 

[ethan hunt]

Injury update on Saim Ayub

Saim Ayub has been ruled out of further participation in the second men’s cricket Test against South Africa after twisting his right ankle while fielding. Saim underwent X-rays and MRI tests this afternoon and the reports have been sent to specialists in London for further advice on the treatment and time away from competitive cricket.

What a bad day for pakistan cricket.

 

[Savak]

Injury update on Saim Ayub

Saim Ayub has been ruled out of further participation in the second men’s cricket Test against South Africa after twisting his right ankle while fielding. Saim underwent X-rays and MRI tests this afternoon and the reports have been sent to specialists in London for further advice on the treatment and time away from competitive cricket.

Will South Africa and the ICC be sporting enough to allow a replacement?

They suspect Saim Ayub can be out of cricket for 3 months which means CT is out of the question

 

[khyberlion]

Will South Africa and the ICC be sporting enough to allow a replacement?

They suspect Saim Ayub can be out of cricket for 3 months which means CT is out of the question

They should he barely played. A shame if he's going to miss CT.

 

[Rana]

Will South Africa and the ICC be sporting enough to allow a replacement?

They suspect Saim Ayub can be out of cricket for 3 months which means CT is out of the question

@mominsaigol and me discussed this during the first ODI

Rizwan let SA change their team after the toss when they found out Maharaj is injured.

Let’s see if SA return the favour. They wouldn’t mind Abdullah getting a go.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Will South Africa and the ICC be sporting enough to allow a replacement?

They suspect Saim Ayub can be out of cricket for 3 months which means CT is out of the question

technically they should allow the replacement as he got injured in the 1st half of the game because with 10 players Pak cant even give them a tough time.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

not looking good.. some saying he might miss the CT if its a fractured ankle

 

[RidiculousMan]

@mominsaigol and me discussed this during the first ODI

Rizwan let SA change their team after the toss when they found out Maharaj is injured.

Let’s see if SA return the favour. They wouldn’t mind Abdullah getting a go.

Noman will be a better addition. But I'm not sure if they'll allow it.

 

[Rana]

Noman will be a better addition. But I'm not sure if they'll allow it.

Yeah it’s called like for like replacement, not a free buffet. They won’t allow Pakistan to pick a specialist spinner for a Batsman who bowls part time.

 

[jnaveen1980]

wow this one real ugly fall. Quiet freakish in nature.

 

[shah9425]

Sad day

I hope he recovers in time for CT

 

[Devadwal]

Will South Africa and the ICC be sporting enough to allow a replacement?

They suspect Saim Ayub can be out of cricket for 3 months which means CT is out of the question

South Africa can allow based on how's badly Sain was injured but ICC can't allowed it officially .

Everyone can misuse in the important games so they can't but in bilateral series it can happen through mutual understanding between both teams .

 

[Nasty Naz]

Just devastating and what a horrific start to 2025 for Pakistan. In the past couple of miserable years, Saim last few months has felt like the only ray of hope. Hope the kid gets healthy and makes a strong comeback but based on what its looking like, we probably won't see him until the PSL.

 

[lazy cricketer]

wow this one real ugly fall. Quiet freakish in nature.

thats from aus tour mate

 

[pillionrider]

Did you notice similarities in the stance and shots of Saeed Anwar and Saim Ayub? There's a debate now about who is the more elegant batter.

View attachment 148884

This guy looks

But gentle advice to Pak fans. DO NOT make the same mistake you made with Babar. Let him be for a few years before trying cross-border references.

 

[BouncerGuy]

What a disaster this saim's injury at such a crunch moment. Now Abdullah will get a free pass back in the team.

 

[FearlessRoar]

‘In 4-5 years, Saim Ayub will be among the world’s top 3 players.’

Fakhar Zaman heaps praise on the young star’s potential and skills.

 

[mominsaigol]

‘In 4-5 years, Saim Ayub will be among the world’s top 3 players.’

Fakhar Zaman heaps praise on the young star’s potential and skills.

Unlike our 2 useless players, I see this being a possibility.

This kid has no obvious techincal flaws like babar has with his backfoot.

Nor does he lack lofted or variety shots like babar and rizwan do. In babar's it's lack of lofted strokes and for rizzu it's lack of offside strokes or drives.

 

[RidiculousMan]

‘In 4-5 years, Saim Ayub will be among the world’s top 3 players.’

Fakhar Zaman heaps praise on the young star’s potential and skills.

Where's the podcast he did with Desert Vipers? Can anyone link it

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Unlike our 2 useless players, I see this being a possibility.

This kid has no obvious techincal flaws like babar has with his backfoot.

Nor does he lack lofted or variety shots like babar and rizwan do. In babar's it's lack of lofted strokes and for rizzu it's lack of offside strokes or drives.

Bro saim ayub for me is like travis head he is half of the team thats how good he has been in odi kid is striking over 100 with 60 plus average in odis he just takes pak team to another level.

 

[mominsaigol]

Bro saim ayub for me is like travis head he is half of the team thats how good he has been in odi kid is striking over 100 with 60 plus average in odis he just takes pak team to another level.

Saim is very good. 100% i can see him matching Travis head in the future.

 

[BouncerGuy]

9 Matches
515 Runs
113 no Highest Score
64.37 Average
105.53 Strike Rate
3 Centuries and 1 Half-century

This performance has earned him a place in the ICC ODI team of the year 2024.

So unfortunate that he got injured and might miss the champion trophy now.

 

[Rana]

I've heard it all, Rizwan played a great match winning innings yesterday but Saim is rated higher because of his aspirations

We will see who will be the one laughing at the end of June 2024

Ufff

 

[Rana]

Isn’t it funny if Saim was batting at 3 or 4 we would have heard the usual posters claiming if he bats at opener he’d Average 30 with a 160 SR.

19 T20s later, batting where he wants he’s averaging 15 at 131.

But but but but…

 

[Rana]

How many more games will he take to look like a serious player?

As many as it takes

 

[Rana]

Saim Ayub so far is nothing special infact his teknikuq (technique) is also not very strong as a batsman

Oh yaar tu rehnde

 

[Rana]

You know a young Gilchrist was told you have got 4/6 games to score otherwise bye bye. This is why Aus have 50 icc trophies in there cabinet & Pak are still polishing the 92 World Cup.

You still haven’t provided proof to this claim

 

[Rana]

Rana saab sees something in him, he shouldn't be dropped.

Indeed sir. Believe.

 

[jamie smith]

has saim been officially ruled out of ct 25 @Rana

 

[Rana]

has saim been officially ruled out of ct 25 @Rana

Reports he is out

Khushdil to replace him in the 15

Babar to open with Fakhar

 

[Rana]

How one player’s injury has resulted into 4-5 changes in a squad, and a nation completely baffled as to how to approach a tournament.


The Shaheen Parwaz brand is real.

These players impact the entire stratosphere of their cricket nation and the opponent!

 

[mominsaigol]

How one player’s injury has resulted into 4-5 changes in a squad, and a nation completely baffled as to how to approach a tournament.


The Shaheen Parwaz brand is real.

These players impact the entire stratosphere of their cricket nation and the opponent!

Tbf their were many holes in the squad, not just one injury for saim.

A) Abdullah was setting himself up to break the all time duck record, he had to be replaced by Fakhar which is a good decison.

B) Niazi was useless and was basically a run out machine. Don't listen to these SNGPL boys, Tayyab despite having an ugly technique was much better in internationals then niazi who looked clueless and basically chacha 2.0. I have reservations about khushdil and I wish they had taken sajid khan, but Khushdil is a better player then Niazi atleast.

C) Saim being injured and Saud being recalled was the right call. Both are left handed batters who are very very classy. I can't think of anyone better then saud to replace Saim. Only issue is saim is a better bowler so that'll be a problem.

The main issue is faheem replacing Sufiyan. I'm not a huge fan of sufiyan but faheem is such a random pick and Husnain somehow still making the squad.

This is what happens when you have this boy make decisons.

 

[sweep_shot]

Wishing Saim a swift recovery.

His batting is great to watch when on song.

 

[Rana]

Tbf their were many holes in the squad, not just one injury for saim.

The thing is bro, the Saim injury is a huge hole these guys are seriously struggling to fill up… and this is a bloke who 99.9% of the fans started to hate and where calling him a write off. One clown here even wrote “No look, No talent”.

In a few ODI innings, this guy showed all of Pakistan cricket how he can make a useless team with a useless captain with a crappy white ball mantra able to compete. His performances glossed over the 70-80 sr of Babar and Rizwan taking 40 balls every innings to score 10 runs.

The easiest replacement for Abdullah Technique urf emulate/prince was Fakhar Zaman. That’s all they actually needed to tinker.

Now with Saim gone, and Fakhar’s waning reflexes+ his inconsistency, now these guys are in a serious pickle unless Fakhar fires in all crucial games. They desperately need someone to ensure they are around the 200 mark by the 35th over. That way these guys like Agha and Kamran can still try to maximise as lower order hitters even though this isn’t their game.

 

[mominsaigol]

The thing is bro, the Saim injury is a huge hole these guys are seriously struggling to fill up… and this is a bloke who 99.9% of the fans started to hate and where calling him a write off. One clown here even wrote “No look, No talent”.

In a few ODI innings, this guy showed all of Pakistan cricket how he can make a useless team with a useless captain with a crappy white ball mantra able to compete. His performances glossed over the 70-80 sr of Babar and Rizwan taking 40 balls every innings to score 10 runs.

The easiest replacement for Abdullah Technique urf emulate/prince was Fakhar Zaman. That’s all they actually needed to tinker.

Now with Saim gone, and Fakhar’s waning reflexes+ his inconsistency, now these guys are in a serious pickle unless Fakhar fires in all crucial games. They desperately need someone to ensure they are around the 200 mark by the 35th over. That way these guys like Agha and Kamran can still try to maximise as lower order hitters even though this isn’t their game.

It is surprising how a 22 year old exposed the so called 2 best players in the world. Looking at you @daytrader