Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub has traced his evolution from a specialist top-order batter to an all-rounder again to his time within the Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) with Peshawar Zalmi.
Ayub first introduced himself on the nationwide radar throughout PSL 2023, when he loved a breakout season with the 2017 champions.
Working primarily as a batter, the left-hander amassed 341 runs in 12 innings at a median of 28.41 and a formidable strike price of 165.53, performances that fast-tracked his entry into Pakistan’s senior males’s group.
Nonetheless, it was the next PSL season that marked a defining shift in Ayub’s profession trajectory.
Not restricted to batting duties, the 23-year-old emerged as a real utility participant for Zalmi, contributing decisively with the ball. He claimed eight wickets in 9 innings at an impressive common of twenty-two.37.
Ayub’s rising confidence and talent with the ball earned him prolonged alternatives on the worldwide stage, the place he has since developed right into a reliable all-round choice for Pakistan throughout codecs.
Thus far, he has taken 34 worldwide wickets, underlining his rising worth past his batting credentials.
His most notable success has are available in T20I, the place he has picked up 21 wickets in 28 innings, sustaining a formidable common of 24.33 and an financial system price of simply 6.90.
These numbers propelled him to the highest of the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings in October final yr, overtaking India’s Hardik Pandya.
At present that includes for Sylhet Titans within the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26, Saim Ayub mirrored on his outstanding transition in an unique interview with a world cricket information web site.
The younger all-rounder credited each his PSL publicity and the religion proven by coaches at home and worldwide ranges.
“I used to do some little bit of bowling in membership cricket as effectively, however for the reason that PSL occurred, Peshawar helped me quite a bit,” Ayub stated.
“After which after I got here into the Pakistan group, they confirmed religion in me and did a number of technical and tactical work with me.”
Ayub admitted that even he didn’t foresee such fast enchancment in his bowling output on the highest stage.
“To be trustworthy, I used to be not anticipating that I’d see such good bowling figures,” he stated. “However the credit score goes to the coaches who labored a lot, and I additionally put in full effort. If I may help the group, then why not?”
The spinner reserved particular reward for Pakistan’s present bowling coach, Ashley Noffke, describing the Australian as instrumental in refining his bowling craft.
“The bowling coach we at the moment have within the Pakistan group has labored quite a bit on our bowling and has helped me an excellent deal,” Ayub stated. “He is Australian, and he is a very good coach. I’ve realized quite a bit due to his bowling enter.”
