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Shahzaib Khan Vs Saim Ayub: Why Pakistan's U-19 Star Could Be Fast-Tracked In Senior Team?

Bhargav Dixit

Will Shahzaib Khan take Saim Ayub's spot? [Source: @nomanalam & @grassrootscric/X]Will Shahzaib Khan take Saim Ayub's spot? [Source: @nomanalam & @grassrootscric/X]

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Just like fast bowlers, left-handed opening batters also seem to be in abundance in Pakistan’s domestic structure. U-19 star Shahzaib Khan, only the second Pakistani batter to score consecutive centuries and the first Pakistani to register five back-to-back half-centuries in Youth ODIs, is the latest of them all.

Pakistan’s highest run-scorer (seventh overall) during ICC Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, Shahzaib continues to represent his country in age-group cricket. That being said, he wouldn’t be able to participate in the next edition of the U-19 World Cup scheduled to be played in early 2026.

Considering his current form, Shahzaib, who will turn 20 by then, might be playing for the senior side by 2026. While he hasn’t been able to leave a mark across his solitary first-class and five List A appearances, him making his presence felt during the ongoing U-19 Asia Cup has earned him comparisons with Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman.

While Zaman isn’t part of the current squad, Shahzaib is threatening Saim Ayub’s spot at the top of the order as per some fans.

Should Shahzaib Khan’s Emergence Worry Saim Ayub?

In an ideal world, not immediately. But since Pakistan cricket selections live far away from an ideal world, Ayub must pull up his socks at the earliest.

Promoted to open the batting for the senior side across formats lately, Ayub is yet to cement his spot in either of the three formats. As a result, the breaking out of the aforementioned comparisons.

Ayub, who himself played eight Youth ODIs without much success between 2018-2019, has made a spectacular start to his ODI career on the back of scoring 280 runs at an average of 56 and a strike rate of 114.75 across six innings.

However, his numbers in the remaining two formats remain commonplace. Having entered the shortest format with the reputation of a basher, all the 22-year-old player has managed across 22 T20I innings are 333 runs at an average and strike rate of 15.13 and 122.87 respectively. In spite of scoring three half-centuries in his first 12 Test innings, an average of 26.91 isn’t what one expects from a Test opener.

Shahzaib, whose batting falls in the same genre as Ayub, will surely compete with him at some point in time. The two could also be seen opening the batting together for Pakistan in the future. Having said that, one feels and anticipates more chances for Ayub at the moment.

Conclusion

Assuming the stars align perfectly for Shahzaib, he could be gradually fast-tracked to the senior side depending on how things roll out for Ayub and Abdullah Shafique. But to say that he will replace Ayub across formats right away would be far-fetched.

Yet to play a T20, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Shahzaib making his Pakistan Super League debut next season. While a lot regarding his progression to the national team could depend on the PSL, stellar performances in domestic cricket would also come in handy in carrying forward this popularity.