'Saim Ayub has brought phenomenal improvement in his batting'

Pakistan’s left-handed opener Saim Ayub is in sublime touch, having hit three centuries in his last five ODI innings.

After blasting 113 not out against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last month, Saim hammered 109 and 101 in the first and third ODI respectively against South Africa to show his mettle as a dependable opener.

He fell for just one in his ODI debut against Australia at Melbourne on November 4 but went on to prove his inclusion right as he smashed 82 and 42 in the next two matches which also helped Pakistan down the Aussies 2-1 in the series.

Former Test opener Sadiq Mohammad has also appreciated the way Saim has improved his batting.

“He has brought in a phenomenal improvement in his batting,” Sadiq told Nukta in an interview.

“Saim has become a disciplined batsman. He plays ground shots and excellently executes his cover drives. He should keep in mind if he stays for 35 overs it will help his team to accumulate big scores in one-day cricket. This will help Pakistan in the Champions Trophy,” Sadiq said.

Sadiq said that Pakistan will need fast bowling all-rounder if it wants to strengthen its team further for the Champions Trophy.

“What I have missed in the series against South Africa is that Pakistan lacked fast bowling all-rounder. Although Irfan is a fine batsman but it would be better if we can play a good fast bowling all-rounder like Aamir Jamal in that spot which will improve the team’s delivery,” Sadiq said.

Pakistan have been doing extremely well offshore in the ODI cricket these days by winning two major series against Australia and South Africa besides a series win against Zimbabwe, a relatively weak opposition.

Now the nation will play a couple of Tests against South Africa before hosting the West Indies for a couple of Tests at Multan next month.

Champions Trophy preparations

Just before the Champions Trophy Pakistan will host a tri-nation series involving Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.

If Pakistan qualifies for the final of this series, then it means the Green Shirts will get three more ODIs before their Champions Trophy campaign.

Pakistan will defend the title, having won the last Champions Trophy way back in 2017 in England under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Pakistan’s current ODI squad’s main concern is the off-color opener Abdullah Shafique who is passing through a lean patch.

The hard-hitting batsman Fakhar Zaman’s return to the squad will complete the line-up. It is expected that Fakhar will be brought into the side in the tri-nation series which will be a prelude to the Champions Trophy.

Fakhar had hit a fine century in the 2017 Champions Trophy final at the Oval which had helped the nation demolish India by 180 runs to lift the trophy.

Sadiq also wants Fakhar in the squad. “He is direly needed for the Champions Trophy,” said Sadiq.