Saim Ayub
{{short description|Pakistani cricketer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Saim Ayub
| image =
| country = Pakistan
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|5|24|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| batting = Left-handed
| bowling = Right-arm offbreak
| role = Top order Batsman
| international = true
| testdebutdate = 3 January
| testdebutyear = 2024
| testdebutagainst = Australia
| testcap = 256
| lasttestdate = 31 August
| lasttestyear = 2024
| lasttestagainst = Bangladesh
| odidebutdate = 4 November
| odidebutyear = 2024
| odidebutagainst = Australia
| odicap = 243
| lastodidate = 22 December
| lastodiyear = 2024
| lastodiagainst = South Africa
| odishirt = 63
| T20Idebutdate = 24 March
| T20Idebutyear = 2023
| T20Idebutagainst = Afghanistan
| T20Icap = 101
| lastT20Idate = 13 December
| lastT20Iyear = 2024
| lastT20Iagainst = South Africa
| T20Ishirt = 63
| club1 = Quetta Gladiators
| year1 = 2021
| clubnumber1 =
| club2 = Sindh
| year2 = 2022–2023
| clubnumber2 =
| club3 = Rangpur Riders
| year3 = 2022/23
| clubnumber3 =
| club4 = Peshawar Zalmi
| year4 = 2023–present
| clubnumber4 = 6
| club5 = Guyana Amazon Warriors
| year5 = 2023
| clubnumber5 = 1
| club6 = Karachi Whites
| year6 = 2023–present
| clubnumber6 = 63
| columns = 4
| column1 = Test
| matches1 = 6
| runs1 = 323
| bat avg1 = 26.91
| 100s/50s1 = 0/3
| top score1 = 77
| deliveries1 = 132
| wickets1 = 3
| bowl avg1 = 45.00
| fivefor1 = 0
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 2/101
| catches/stumpings1 = 4/–
| column2 = ODI
| matches2 = 9
| runs2 = 515
| bat avg2 = 64.37
| 100s/50s2 = 3/1
| top score2 = 113*
| deliveries2 = 180
| wickets2 = 5
| bowl avg2 = 27.80
| fivefor2 = 0
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling2 = 2/29
| catches/stumpings2 = 5/–
| column3 = T20I
| matches3 = 27
| runs3 = 498
| bat avg3 = 21.65
| 100s/50s3 = 0/1
| top score3 = 98*
| deliveries3 = 30
| wickets3 = 0
| bowl avg3 = –
| fivefor3 = –
| tenfor3 = –
| best bowling3 = –
| catches/stumpings3 = 13/–
| column4 = FC
| matches4 = 21
| runs4 = 1,403
| bat avg4 = 38.97
| 100s/50s4 = 3/6
| top score4 = 203
| deliveries4 = 336
| wickets4 = 4
| bowl avg4 = 61.00
| fivefor4 = 0
| tenfor4 = 0
| best bowling4 = 2/101
| catches/stumpings4 = 11/–
| date = 22 December
| year = 2024
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/1161031.html Cricinfo
|height=5 ft 8 in}}
Saim Ayub ({{langx|ur|{{nq|صائم ایوب}}}}; born 24 May 2002) is a Pakistani cricketer who plays for the Pakistan national cricket team and for Karachi Whites in domestic cricket. He made his international debut in T20 against Afghanistan in March 2023 and made his test debut against Australia in the third test in January 2024.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/1161031.html |title=Saim Ayub |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=20 February 2021}} Later, he made his ODI debut against Australia in November 2024.
Early life
His father Ayub Ahmed and his uncle Mohammad Javed both played cricket at the club level, Saim was initiated into the game at a young age with tape ball cricket from Gulistan-e-Johar, helped by his father as well by two elder brothers.{{Cite web |last=Tariq |first=Aamir |date=18 April 2023 |title=Profile: Saim Ayub |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/18-Apr-2023/profile-saim-ayub |access-date=17 June 2023 |website=Daily Pakistan}}
Domestic and franchise career
In February 2021, Saim made his Twenty20 debut for Quetta Gladiators in the 2021 Pakistan Super League.{{cite web |title=1st Match (N), Karachi, Feb 20 2021, Pakistan Super League |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1247011.html |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}
In March 2022, he made his List A debut for Sindh in the 2021–22 Pakistan Cup.{{cite web |title=23rd Match, Islamabad, Mar 19 2022, Pakistan Cup |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1277398.html |access-date=19 March 2022 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}
In September 2022, he made his first-class debut for Sindh in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022/23.
= Pakistan Super League =
In 2021, he played for Quetta Gladiators but didn't perform well hence he couldn't become a regular member of the playing XI and was dropped from the squad for the next season. In February 2023, while playing for Peshawar Zalmi during the 2023 PSL, he hit his maiden PSL half-century off 33 deliveries, observers comparing him to Saeed Anwar.{{Cite web |date=17 February 2023 |title=WATCH: Classy knock by Saim Ayub reminds fans of Saeed Anwar |url=https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/news/detail/watch-classy-knock-by-saim-ayub-reminds-fans-of-saeed-anwar |website=Cricket Pakistan}} Saim Ayub continues to make his mark in the PSL 2023 season with consistent run scoring for Peshawar Zalmi along with Babar Azam.{{Cite web |last=Profiles |first=Net Worth |date=2023-04-05 |title=How Much Is Saim Ayub Net Worth Worth & Income Profile |url=https://www.networthprofiles.com/saim-ayub-net-worth-income-profile-salary-psl/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Net Worth Profiles |language=en-US}} In match 25 between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators in the PSL 2023 season, Saim scored 74 off 34 and helped Peshawar Zalmi post 240/2 in 20 overs. In match 27 of PSL 2023, he played a blistering knock of 58 off 33 balls.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-super-league-2022-23-1332128/peshawar-zalmi-vs-multan-sultans-27th-match-1354950/full-scorecard|title=PSL 2023: Peshawar vs Multan / Match 27 / Scorecard|work=espncricinfo|accessdate=17 April 2023}} He finished the season with 341 runs with an average of 28.41 and strike rate of 165.53 across 12 matches.{{Cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=14923;type=tournament|title=PSL 2023: Most runs / Record / Batting Record|work=espncricinfo|accessdate=17 April 2023}}
He has also been the part of CPL 2023 season. He performed well in the league and helped his team Amazon Warriors to get the title with his outstanding performance in the final.
International career
In December 2022, alongside fast bowler Ihsanullah and batsman Haseebullah Khan, Saim Ayub was one of the three youngsters selected to be included in the national squad for the second Test match of the New Zealand series in Karachi, so they could get some international exposure and see the dynamics of the dressing room.{{Cite web |last=Lakhani |first=Faizan |date=31 December 2022 |title=Three youngsters to be inducted to Pak squad for second Test against NZ |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1025715-three-youngsters-to-be-inducted-to-pakistan-squad-for-2nd-nz-test |website=The News International}}
In March 2023, he was named in Pakistan's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the series against Afghanistan.{{cite web|url=https://icc-cricket.com/news/3108872 |title=Pakistan name new captain for Afghanistan T20Is |work=International Cricket Council |accessdate=13 March 2023}} He made his T20I debut in the first T20I of the series, on 24 March 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1362815.html |title=1st T20I (N), Sharjah, March 24, 2023, Afghanistan v Pakistan |work=ESPNcricinfo |accessdate=24 March 2023}} On 20th November 2023, he was selected in Pakistan's Test squad for the series in Australia.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan call up Saim Ayub and Khurram Shahzad for Australia Test tour |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pakistan-call-up-saim-ayub-and-khurram-shahzad-for-australia-test-tour-1409844 |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} He made his debut on 3 January 2024 in the third test match of the series. He got out for a duck in his first innings.{{Cite web |title=AUS vs PAK, Pakistan in Australia 2023/24, 3rd Test at Sydney, January 03 - 07, 2024 - Full Scorecard |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-australia-2023-24-1375835/australia-vs-pakistan-3rd-test-1375844/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}
In May 2024, he was named in Pakistan’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Squad for ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2024 |url=https://www.scorewaves.com/news-details/pakistan-squad-for-t20-world-cup |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=ScoreWaves |language=en}} In August 2024, he was selected in Pakistan's squad for the test series against Bangladesh.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Test Squad - Bangladesh in Pakistan, 2024 Squad |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-in-pakistan-2024-1442203/pakistan-test-squad-1446651/series-squads |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} In September-October 2024, he was named in Pakistan’s 17 man squad against England for a 3 test game series. In the Multan Cricket Stadium on 15 October 2024, he made his best test score scoring 77 (160) against England.
On October 27, 2024, Saim was named for the Pakistani Tour of Zimbabwe, as well as the Pakistani tour of Australia.{{Cite web |date=2014-01-10 |title=Pakistan squads for Australia and Zimbabwe tours named |url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pakistan-squads-for-australia-and-zimbabwe-tours-named.html |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.pcb.com.pk |language=en-US}}
He made his ODI debut in the first match of the series against Australia, scoring 1 run, before being bowled out by Mitchell Starc{{cite web |title=AUS vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 1st ODI at Melbourne, November 04, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-vs-pakistan-2024-25-1426544/australia-vs-pakistan-1st-odi-1426549/full-scorecard |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} Australia would go on to win the match with 99 balls remaining. In the second match of the series, he bowled in an international ODI for the first time, taking 0 wickets, but bowling 3 overs at the economy of 4.66. His batting would go much better, making 82 runs off 71 balls, making an impressive 5 fours and 6 sixers.{{Cite web |title=AUS vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 2nd ODI at Adelaide, November 08, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-vs-pakistan-2024-25-1426544/australia-vs-pakistan-2nd-odi-1426550/full-scorecard |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} He spearheaded the attack, with Pakistan winning the match with 141 balls remaining, evening the scores. In the third and final ODI, he once more top-score, making 42 off 52, leading Pakistan to win the series.{{Cite web |title=AUS vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 3rd ODI at Perth, November 10, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-vs-pakistan-2024-25-1426544/australia-vs-pakistan-3rd-odi-1426551/full-scorecard |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} He was not named for the T20Is.
He played the first ODI match against Zimbabwe, where he bowled 2 overs at an economy of 6, taking no wickets. In Pakistan's innings, he would make 11 off 17, making 2 boundaries, but would eventually be caught behind off of Blessing Muzarabani. Pakistan would go on to lose the match after heavy rain using the DLS method, a surprising loss.{{Cite web |title=Muzarabani, spinners help Zimbabwe stun Pakistan in rain-hit opener |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-zimbabwe-2024-25-1444642/zimbabwe-vs-pakistan-1st-odi-1444649/match-report |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=ZIM vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 1st ODI at Bulawayo, November 24, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-zimbabwe-2024-25-1444642/zimbabwe-vs-pakistan-1st-odi-1444649/full-scorecard |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} On November 26, 2024, during the second ODI match against Zimbabwe, Saim Ayub achieved a remarkable milestone by scoring a blistering century off just 53 balls. This feat marked the second-fastest ODI hundred by a Pakistani cricketer, surpassed only by Shahid Afridi. Saim's innings powered Pakistan to a dominant 10-wicket victory as they chased down the target of 146 with ease, finishing the match with 32 overs to spare.{{Cite web |title=Ayub's 53-ball century levels series after Abrar and Salman strangle Zimbabwe |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-zimbabwe-2024-25-1444642/zimbabwe-vs-pakistan-2nd-odi-1444650/match-report |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} On November 28, 2024, in the final ODI, Saim made 31 off 37, making 4 boundaries, before being caught at deep square leg. Saim also took two beautiful wickets in just the third over, quickly reducing Zimbabwe to 10/2. He was named player of the series, having made 155 runs and taken 3 wickets.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-28 |title=Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI Highlights: Pakistan win by 99 runs, clinch series 2-1 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/story/zimbabwe-vs-paklstan-live-score-3rd-odi-live-score-bulawayo-series-decider-2641558-2024-11-28 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=India Today |language=en}} In the first T20I, he made 24 runs off 18 balls, making 3 boundaries.{{Cite web |title=ZIM vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 1st T20I at Bulawayo, December 01, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-zimbabwe-2024-25-1444642/zimbabwe-vs-pakistan-1st-t20i-1444652/full-scorecard |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} In the second T20I, he made an unbeaten 36 runs off 18 balls, making 7 boundaries, and leading Pakistan to a blistering chase in just 5.3 overs.{{Cite web |title=ZIM vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 2nd T20I at Bulawayo, December 03, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-zimbabwe-2024-25-1444642/zimbabwe-vs-pakistan-2nd-t20i-1444653/full-scorecard |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} Since Pakistan had already clinched the series, he would be rested alongside teammate Haris Rauf, and Pakistan would go on to win the series 2-1, after a surprise loss in the last match.{{Cite web |last=OneCricket |title=Revealed: Why Are Saim Ayub And Haris Rauf Not Playing 3rd PAK vs ZIM T20I? |url=https://cricket.one/match-hub/why-are-saim-ayub-and-haris-rauf-not-playing-pak-vs-zim-3rd-t20i/67518d1cba3e8c0416e1f5ae |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241205125416/https://cricket.one/match-hub/why-are-saim-ayub-and-haris-rauf-not-playing-pak-vs-zim-3rd-t20i/67518d1cba3e8c0416e1f5ae |archive-date=2024-12-05 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=OneCricket |language=en}}
On December 4, 2024, he was named for the Pakistani side in all three formats in the Pakistani tour of South Africa.
In the first T20I, he made a quick 31 runs off 15 balls, with 7 boundaries, before being caught out.{{Cite web |title=SA vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 1st T20I at Durban, December 10, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-vs-pakistan-2024-25-1432205/south-africa-vs-pakistan-1st-t20i-1432211/full-scorecard |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} On December 13, 2024, in the second T20I, Saim Ayub scored his maiden T20I half-century against South Africa, carrying his bat with an unbeaten 98 off 57 balls.{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=A. |date=2024-12-14 |title=Saim Ayub opens up after missing maiden T20I century against South Africa |url=https://a-sports.tv/saim-ayub-missing-t20i-century-pakistan-south-africa/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=ASports.tv |language=en-US}} The third T20I was abandoned.{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |date=2024-12-15 |title=SA vs PAK: Third T20I abandoned without a ball being bowled due to heavy rains |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/sa-vs-pak-3rd-t20i-abandoned-without-ball-being-bowlled-heavy-rains-south-african-win-series-2-0/article68987639.ece |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Sportstar |language=en}}
On 17 December 2024, he scored his second ODI century against South Africa during the 1st match of the series.{{Cite web |date=2014-01-10 |title=Centurion Saim, All-round Salman hand Pakistan thrilling win in series opener |url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/news-detail/centurion-saim-all-round-salman-hand-pakistan-thrilling-win-in-series-opener.html |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=www.pcb.com.pk |language=en-US}} The 22-year-old Pakistan batter became the youngest player to score a century against South Africa in ODIs while chasing as he broke legendary West Indian batter Brian Lara’s 31-year-old record.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=Saim Ayub breaks legendary batter’s record in first South Africa ODI |url=https://arynews.tv/saim-ayub-breaks-brian-lara-record-in-first-pak-v-sa-odi/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=ARY NEWS |language=en-US}} On 22 December 2024, in the third ODI match of the series against South Africa, he made his career's third century by scoring 101 runs off 94 balls.{{cite web |last1=Moonda |first1=Firdose |title=Saim Ayub hundred condemns South Africa to maiden home ODI whitewash |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-vs-pakistan-2024-25-1432205/south-africa-vs-pakistan-3rd-odi-1432216/match-report |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=24 December 2024 |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-12-23 |title=Pakistan's batting sensation Saim Ayub joins Virat Kohli in this elite list |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/pakistans-batting-sensation-saim-ayub-joins-virat-kohli-in-this-elite-list/articleshow/116589098.cms |access-date=2024-12-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
On the same tour of South Africa, he twisted his right ankle during the second test match, in Cape Town, which sidelined him from taking any further part in the match and subsequently ending his tour to South Africa.{{Cite web |date=2014-01-10 |title=Update on Saim Ayub's injury |url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/update-on-saim-ayub-s-injury.html |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=www.pcb.com.pk |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cricinfo|id=1161031}}
{{Pakistan Squad 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup}}
{{Peshawar Zalmi squad}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayub, Saim}}
Category:Pakistan Test cricketers
Category:Pakistan Twenty20 International cricketers
Category:21st-century Pakistani sportsmen
Category:Quetta Gladiators cricketers
Category:Cricketers from Karachi
Category:Guyana Amazon Warriors cricketers