Saim Ayub was chosen as Pakistan's first-choice opener alongside Mohammad Rizwan in the T20I series against Ireland. The 21-year-old is Gary Kirsten's choice to open the innings, over skipper Babar Azam.
The long-standing opening pair of Rizwan and Azam was first broken by former team director, Mohammad Hafeez. Hafeez demoted Azam to number three, promoting 21-year-old Ayub up the order. And reportedly, newly-elected head coach, Gary Kirsten, also prefers Ayub as the opener.
Saim Ayub, who had an impressive PSL 2024, has failed to translate his form for the Green Shirts. Ayub opened alongside both Babar and Rizwan in the recent T20I series against New Zealand.
Unfortunately, Ayub has failed miserably as he managed to score 142 runs in seven innings over the two bilateral competitions, averaging barely over 20.
Even in the final T20I against Ireland on Tuesday, the youngster was dismissed for 14, off 11 deliveries. He has scored 65 runs in three games against Ireland, with a high score of 45.
After his consistent failures, the fans have demanded a return of the Mohammad Rizwan-Babar Azam partnership, up top for Pakistan ahead of the all-important T20I World Cup.
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How did fans react to the failures of Saim Ayub against Ireland?
Pakistan fans have questioned the selection of Saim Ayub in the playing XI for Pakistan, ahead of the T20I World Cup. Ayub is being selected in the first eleven, over the likes of Usman Khan. After failing to deliver on numerous occasions, the fans have questioned the inclusion of Ayub ahead of the crucial T20I World Cup.
The curious case of Saim Ayub Lefts big question marks on his place in playing XI, a fan questioned on Twitter.
The curious case of Saim Ayub
— Shahzaib Ali 🇵🇰 (@DSBcricket) May 14, 2024
Lefts big question marks on his place in playing XI ❓❓#PAKvIRE pic.twitter.com/DSd15yaH6Y
A fan trolled Saim Ayub to get by comparing him to the likes of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.
You might be a RizBar fan but you can't match the level of Saim Ayub. Bro is going all out to bring them back. 😭😭, Abdullah tweeted.
You might be a RizBar fan but you can't match the level of Saim Ayub. Bro is going all out to bring them back. 😭😭
— Abdullah. (@michaelscottfc) May 14, 2024
A fan termed Saim Ayub as 'overhyped'. The Green Shirts supporter called it a shame for people who have compared Ayub to his Indian counterparts, in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.
Saim Ayub is overhyped. And there are people who compare him to Indian openers like Jaiswal & Shubman, Alisha Imran quoted on Twitter.
Saim Ayub is overhyped. And there are people who compare him to Indian openers like Jaiswal & Shubman 🇮🇳🙄 #IREvPAK pic.twitter.com/qCSxY56sCd
— Alisha Imran (@Alishaimran111) May 14, 2024
A fan reminded the public about the T20I record of Saim Ayub. Since making his T20I debut against Afghanistan last year, Ayub has scored just 284 runs in 18 outings, averaging under 16. Moreover, Ayub is yet to register a half-century to his name.
Saim Ayub's T20I record so far:
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) May 14, 2024
Innings 18
Runs 284
Average 15.77
Strike-rate 130.87
Highest score 49#IREvPAK #Cricket
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