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3 Reasons Why Saim Ayub Should Replace Babar Azam As Pakistan Opener In T20Is

Aashay Chopade

Babar Azam and Saim Ayub for Pakistan (Source:@CallMeSheri1/X.com)Babar Azam and Saim Ayub for Pakistan (Source:@CallMeSheri1/X.com)

Pakistan are all set to kickstart another overseas tour as the caravan moves to South Africa. The tour starts with the three-match T20I series and Pakistan have included senior players like Babar Azam, Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi which shows how seriously they are taking the T20I series.

However, the performances of all these three big stars have not been upto the mark and Pakistan need to get their act together to make progress in the format. One of the big change they need to do is bring an aggressive opener at the top of the order, and that's why it is imperative that a player like Saim Ayub should replace Babar Azam as opener in the T20I series.

Saim Ayub's Aggressive Batting And Current Form

Saim Ayub is known for his aggressive batting and he could be the boost that Pakistan desperately need at the top of the order. The southpaw displayed good form against Zimbabwe recently both in the ODI and T20Is and played some pretty aggressive knocks, which is the template Pakistan need to follow if they want to get more success in the shortest format.

Ayub also has grown in confidence in recent times with runs in the Test format too, and his overall T20 strike rate of over 140 shows that he is a talent that Pakistan need to invest in. 

Babar Azam's Poor Form And Strike-Rate Issues

Babar Azam still has an an average of around 40 in T20Is, but his strike-rate has been a worry for a long time now and with runs also drying up in recent times, Pakistan need to look at other options. The star batter was preferred as Pakistan's T20I opener because of the consistency he brings to the table, but it has taken a hit in recent times and his last fifty in the format came before the T20 World Cup against Ireland.

Babar Azam is also low on confidence after lot of criticism in recent times, and it is a great opportunity for Pakistan to create a new gameplan for the shortest format with next T20 World Cup two years away.

Saim Ayub's Power-Game Complements Rizwan's Busy Nature

Mohammad Rizwan is the captain of Pakistan now and so he cannot be dropped. His game which is based more on keeping the scoreboard ticking with singles and doubles along with boundaries in Powerplay, makes him a good opening candidate. He has a good record as well at the top of the order, but having him and Babar Azam both as openers does not go with the modern-day T20 mindset.

Therefore, having a batter with power-game and fearless attitude like Saim Ayub at the top of the order will help Pakistan complement their skipper better. Ayub is also a left-handed batter which will help Pakistan keep that right-hand left-hand combination at the top and can help the team in the long run.