Saim's place in danger; alternative playing XI that Pakistan can pick vs Bangladesh in Asia Cup

Pakistan can heavily benefit by replacing Ayub with Haris at 3 [Source: AFP]

On Tuesday, Pakistan managed to keep their Asia Cup 2025 campaign alive, securing a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the third Super Four match. However, although Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz played crucial knocks, Saim Ayub sustained his lean patch, getting dismissed for another single-digit score. 

Miserable form and Talat's all-round skills threaten Saim's place in PAK XI

(Saim Ayub's horrendous form in Asia Cup 2025)

Hailed as the next big thing from Pakistan cricket, Saim Ayub has had a horrible Asia Cup campaign so far. After registering three consecutive ducks as opener, Ayub was demoted to number three, with Pakistan swapping his position with Fakhar Zaman. 

However, the left-handed batter has failed to turn things around, managing only 23 runs in 20 balls in his last two outings at three. Although he initially performed with the ball, Pakistan didn't use him against Sri Lanka and still managed to restrict their opponents to a paltry score of 133 runs. 

Moreover, with Hussain Talat chipping in with the ball as a potent option, Pakistan might finally consider dropping Ayub and strengthening their batting unit. 

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What could be Pakistan's alternative lineup without Saim Ayub?

If Saim Ayub is dropped due to his lean patch, Pakistan can make several strategic changes to form a formidable combination against Bangladesh, as mentioned below. 

Promote Mohammad Haris to number 3

(Haris has done much better than Saim at 3)

• As Saim Ayub is currently slotted at three, Mohammad Haris should be the ideal guy to replace him if Pakistan drop him against Bangladesh. 
• The data presented in the above table suggests that Haris has more experience in batting at three, also performing much better than Saim at that position. His intent and fearless stroke play can help Pakistan maximise the field restrictions even if they lose either Sahibzada Farhan or Fakhar Zaman early. 

Bring Hasan Nawaz down the order

• If Mohammad Haris is promoted to fill Saim Ayub's void, Pakistan can fill the middle-order vacancy with Hasan Nawaz. 
• It's true that Hasan Nawaz hasn't lived up to the expectations, but he has had an impressive T20I career so far. In 22 innings, Hasan has amassed 449 runs, including a blistering ton, at a strike rate of 158.1. 
• He has particularly been successful at four, scoring 134 runs at an average of 44.67 and a strike rate of 181.08. Therefore, his addition to the lineup can help Pakistan score at a better rate in the middle overs, as the Men in Green have struck at an abysmal rate of 6.5 in that particular phase. 

Pakistan's strongest XI without Saim Ayub vs Bangladesh

Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (WK), Agha Salman (C), Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

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