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Ex-PCB Chief Asks Babar To Remove Saim Ayub As Opener After PAK's Poor Run Before T20 WC

Saim Ayub in action for Pakistan in April 2024 (AP)Saim Ayub in action for Pakistan in April 2024 (AP)

Former PCB chief Ramiz Raja has launched a scathing attack on young opening batter Saim Ayub over his repeated failures in T20Is for Pakistan. Taking to his YouTube channel, Raja claimed that the entire combination of the Pakistan team has been disturbed due to Saim’s ineffectiveness as an opener.

The former Pakistan cricketer also called for the return of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam as team’s full-time openers ahead of next week’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA.


Ramiz Raja says Saim Ayub given ‘too many chances’

Pakistan suffered a 23-run defeat to England in Birmingham to go 0-1 down in their four-match series. Chasing 184, struggling opener Saim Ayub scored a sluggish seven-ball two as the entire ‘Men in Green’ line-up crumbled at 160.

Ayub also managed to tally just 65 runs in three innings against Ireland earlier this month, and 57 runs in four innings against New Zealand at home last month.

Following his latest failure against England, former Pakistan cricketer and ex-PCB chief Ramiz Raja stated that the current team should not continue with Saim, believing the youngster has already been given enough fruitless opportunities in the playing XI.

Taking to his YouTube channel, Ramiz Raja also urged the Pakistan team management to bring back Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam as full-time openers going into next week’s T20 World Cup 2024. He said:

“I don't think Pakistan should continue with Saim. He has been given too many chances. You need to revert to the opening pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. The entire combination has been disturbed due to Saim.”

Watch: Ramiz Raja’s full assessment on Saim Ayub and PAK’s defeat

Trailing 0-1 in the four-match series after the second T20I, Pakistan will now face hosts England in the penultimate game on May 28 at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens.

Led by Babar Azam, the ‘Men in Green’ will soon be setting base in Texas, USA for next week’s T20 World Cup 2024. They are scheduled to launch their campaign with a match against USA on June 6.