Is Saim Ayub Pakistan's Next Fakhar Zaman? Analysis After 39 Innings Explains Amid Asia Cup

Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman [Source: AFP]

On Friday, Pakistan will kickstart their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a high-voltage encounter against Oman. This match holds significant importance for Agha Salman's men, as it gives them a golden opportunity to get the ideal momentum before their encounter against arch-rivals India. 

Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman will be in the spotlight when Pakistan take the field against Oman on September 12. While Fakhar has been a proven match-winner for Pakistan, Saim is ideally his successor, particularly in white-ball cricket. 

Apart from his scintillating stroke-play, Saim has strangely followed Fakhar's statistical footprints in his brief career so far. As both these players gear up for the Asia Cup, here we explain how Saim is the next Fakhar Zaman in the making and what he should do to become more successful than the 35-year-old in T20 Internationals. 

Saim Ayub vs Fakhar Zaman: Overall Stats Comparison

(Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub's T20I stats after 39 innings)

Inference

The data presented in the above table highlights the similarity in the numbers of Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub after 39 innings of T20 Internationals. While their batting averages are identical, Saim has struck at a slightly better rate than his senior colleague. 

Saim Ayub vs Fakhar Zaman: Performance Distributed Across Phases

(Fakhar and Saim's performance across phases after 39 innings)

As Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub are top-order batters, their numbers in the death overs should be given the least importance while analysing their approach in T20Is. 

Inference

• Although Fakhar and Saim are known as fearless strikers, a progressive increase in their strike rates indicates an identical approach as the game moves on from the powerplay to the middle overs. 
• These stats suggest that Fakhar was also a slow starter like Saim in his first 39 innings, with his scoring rate gradually increasing in the middle overs phase. These two players also have almost similar percentages of boundary runs in the 7-15 over phase, while Saim has been slightly more dependent on boundaries in the powerplay. 

---

ALSO READ

Babar Replaced, Saim To Open; Haris Dropped? Pakistan Probable XI For Asia Cup Match Vs Oman

---

Saim Ayub vs Fakhar Zaman: Success rate in home and away conditions

(Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub in home and neutral venues in T20Is after 39 innings)

Inference

• Just like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman had registered poor T20I numbers on home soil after 39 innings. 
• Both these batters have identical scoring rates, suggesting their struggle at home. On the contrary, both these batters have comparatively better numbers at away and neutral venues, signifying their tendency to perform well in alien conditions. 

Conclusion

Our detailed analysis reveals Saim Ayub has statistically followed the distinct pattern set by Fakhar Zaman during the early part of his career. Considering Fakhar's reputation, 2104 runs at a modest average of 23.4 and a strike rate of 132.2 doesn't justify his talent. 

Saim's ability to chip in with the ball, unlike Fakhar, and play with a more positive intent, can make him one of Pakistan's most valuable players in the future. So, technically, Saim should learn from Fakhar's mistakes and work on his consistency to transform himself into a regular match-winner for Pakistan in T20Is. 

---

ALSO READ

Saim Ayub Breaks Into ICC Top 10, Chasing Hardik Pandya In T20I All-Rounder Rankings

---