Saim Ayub, the rising star of Pakistan cricket, is drawing high praise and comparisons to Babar Azam, with some even suggesting he's an "updated version" of the accomplished batter. This bold statement comes from Fakhar Zaman, a seasoned top-order batter, who lauded Ayub's talent and potential.
"[Saim Ayub] is a very different player and I think he has not yet shown 80 per cent of himself to the world," said Zaman, highlighting the immense untapped potential within the young left-handed batter. Zaman's comments, made during an interaction with his Lahore teammates, have sparked considerable discussion among fans and analysts, especially given Babar Azam's stature in Pakistan cricket. Zaman had previously noted Ayub as the most promising talent to emerge from Pakistan since Azam.
Ayub made his T20I debut in March 2023 and has played 41 matches, scoring 816 runs at an average of 22.05 and a strike rate of 136.45, including four half-centuries. His highest score of 98* came against South Africa last year. He has also represented Pakistan in 8 Tests and 12 ODIs. According to A Sports, Ayub made headlines with his elegant stroke play and hit two centuries against South Africa in ODIs in 2024.
Adding to the accolades, Pakistan's white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, has also recognized Ayub's significance to the team. "Look, Saim is a key player for us and we know that if Saim scores runs, we generally win," Hesson stated, underlining Ayub's impact on the team's success. Hesson believes that Ayub is one of those players that if it is his day, Pakistan wins. Hesson's comments suggest that Ayub's contributions are often pivotal in securing victories for the team.
Hesson has also spoken about the need for players to adapt to the modern game, emphasizing the importance of strike rates in T20 cricket. He noted that the required strike rate in the powerplay has evolved, particularly in favorable conditions, and players must adapt to these changes. Hesson's comments came amidst the omission of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the Asia Cup squad, with both not having played a T20I since December 2024. Hesson said that players must have clear role definitions and take responsibility for developing the skills needed to fulfill them.
While Babar Azam remains one of Pakistan's most accomplished batters, he has faced recent challenges, including losing his spot in the T20I squad. Despite this, comparisons between Ayub and Azam are seen by some as premature, given Azam's substantial achievements. Wasim Akram has urged Pakistan to reconsider Azam for T20Is.
Hesson has also highlighted Pakistan's bowling attack, particularly the spinners, who have played a key role in the team's recent victories. He has named Mohammad Nawaz as the best T20 spin bowler in the world and also praised Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem. Hesson also noted that Saim Ayub is now in the top 10 all-rounders in the world.
As Pakistan prepares for upcoming international fixtures, including the Asia Cup 2025, the conversation around Saim Ayub's rise and Babar Azam's future is expected to continue.
