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Saim Ayub Demoted Vs India: Will It Bring Out The Best From Out-Of-Form PAK Batter?

Anurag Dasgupta

Decoding Saim Ayub's T20I stats [Source: AFP Photo] Decoding Saim Ayub's T20I stats [Source: AFP Photo]

In a not-so-surprising decision, Pakistan decided to demote their out-of-form batter, Saim Ayub, in the batting order in the crucial Asia Cup 2025 match vs India. Before the match, Pakistan took a harsh call by dropping Hasan Nawaz from the playing XI, and then the decision was taken to demote Saim.

This is a decision that could backfire against the Indian bowling attack, and here’s why Saim batting down the order might not be the best decision for him.

Saim Ayub's T20I numbers by batting position

Criterion
As opener
From 3-7
Innings
345
Runs66688
Average20.817.6
Strike rate132.9151.7
Dot%
43.346.6

(Saim Ayub as opener vs middle order)

Observation from his T20I numbers

  • Since his T20I debut, Saim Ayub has blown hot and cold in the format. While the batter has shown a lot of promise, he has failed to deliver it with consistency.
  • As a middle-order batter, his strike rate increases from 132 to 151, but the average goes down drastically. Moreover, the interesting part is that his dot-ball percentage increases from 43% to 46% as a middle order batter, a cause of worry for the Pakistan team.
  • While the opening position is the best for Saim Ayub, his numbers tell the story that he has struggled in both areas (opening, as well as middle order). Therefore, considering his poor numbers, chances are slim that he will evolve his performance tonight. 

Position switch a blessing for Fakhar Zaman

While the position switch may not work for Saim Ayub, it could do wonders for fellow teammate, Fakhar Zaman. With Saim and Sahibzada Farhan opening for a while, Fakhar was demoted to number 3, and 4, and it hampered his batting. However, him getting promoted speaks about his T20I numbers as an opener.

Though Fakhar was dismissed by Hardik Pandya in the Super 4 clash, but his short-stay told the entire story.

He was promoted to his usual opening spot, and the difference was crystal clear. Fakhar looked more confident and even took down Jasprit Bumrah with ease as he scored 15 off 9 balls, but his stay told us that the southpaw is at his best when he is batting at the top, and this could be a blessing for the Pakistan team in the remainder of Asia Cup.