Pakistan Face Big Threat; Stats Expose Weakness That Can Spell Disaster In Asia Cup 2025

Sahibzada And Saim Ayub’s Struggles Against Pace Might Trouble Pakistan [Source: AFP]

Pakistan are all set to compete in the 17th edition of the Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28. The team will be led by Salman Ali Agha and will enter the tournament with confidence after winning the T20I Tri-Nation Series against Afghanistan.

However, one of the biggest talking points for Pakistan is their opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. Both batters are expected to open in the Asia Cup, but their track record against pace bowling raises concerns, especially when facing India’s dangerous fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and possibly Harshit Rana.

Saim Ayub Against Pace

Saim Ayub has shown clear weaknesses against fast bowlers. In 12 innings across formats, he has been dismissed 9 times, while scoring only 232 runs. Out of those dismissals, 8 have come against right-arm pacers, which means he could struggle against India’s right-arm quicks.

Sahibzada Farhan Against Pace

Sahibzada Farhan has also had issues facing fast bowlers. Since his debut in 2018, he has been dismissed 11 times against pace. His record has improved slightly in 2025, but inconsistency remains a problem.

When looking at them together since 2024, both openers have played 12 innings against pace, scoring 232 runs off 426 balls but losing their wickets 9 times. Farhan, across his career, has scored 178 runs in 16 innings against pace, but has been dismissed 11 times.

Performance in UAE

Conditions in the UAE are also a concern for the duo. During the recent T20I Tri-Series, both struggled for consistency.

Sahibzada Farhan in UAE: 63 runs in 5 innings during the T20I tri-series, averaging just 12.60. However, in UAE, he has scored 103 runs in 7 innings at a strike rate of 117.05.

Against pace specifically, his record is weaker:

Saim Ayub in UAE

Saim has scored 111 runs in 5 innings during the tri-series, averaging 13.14. Overall in UAE, he scored 69 runs in 8 matches, with only one fifty.

Against pace, his stats look modest:

Pakistan’s decision to back Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub as their main opening pair for the Asia Cup 2025 is a bold one, especially as it sidelines experienced names like Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. While both youngsters have shown glimpses of talent, their struggles against fast bowling are evident.

With India’s world-class pace attack, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya, Pakistan’s opening duo could face serious challenges. Their form in UAE conditions has also been patchy, which further raises concerns.

As Pakistan prepare to face India on September 14, all eyes will be on these two openers. If they can overcome their weaknesses against pace, they can lay the foundation for the Pakistan innings to prosper, otherwise the team faces danger of crumbling under pressure. Otherwise, their struggles could cost the team dearly in a high-pressure tournament.

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