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[Watch] Saim Ayub Stuns Hales As Babar Azam’s Astute Captaincy Comes To The Fore In PSL 2024

Aakash Saini

Saim Ayub bowling in PSL 2024 (X.com)Saim Ayub bowling in PSL 2024 (X.com)

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Babar Azam’s persistence with Saim Ayub as Peshawar Zalmi’s new-ball bowler paid off as the part-time spinner stunned Islamabad United opener Alex Hales with a peach upfront.

Once again tasked with bowling the opening over of the innings, Ayub sent down a magnificent carrom ball on a length to the Englishmen before clattering the latter’s stumps as Zalmi gained an early advantage in their PSL 2024 face-off.

Pakistan-based Peshawar Zalmi’s top-order batter Saim Ayub, who has claimed just 17 wickets throughout his professional career, has been repeatedly employed as a new-ball bowler for his franchise by captain Babar Azam in the ongoing PSL 2024 season.

As it turned out, Ayub’s part-time off-breaks eventually took centerstage for Peshawar Zalmi in their seventh match of the tournament. Bowling the opening over of the innings, the 21-year-old cricketer stunned Islamabad United opener and dangerman Alex Hales with a peach off the very first ball of the match.

Saim Ayub sent down a splendid carrom delivery on a length which straightened up just a bit to clatter Hales’ middle stump. His early strike justified Babar Azam’s repeated faith in him as Islamabad United lost its opening wicket without a run to their name at Rawalpindi.

Watch: Babar Azam’s persistence with Saim Ayub turns genius

Remarkably, Saim Ayub also struck in his following over to account for Islamabad United’s other overseas opening batsman, Colin Munro.

Ayub’s double-wicket burst ensured Islamabad United ended up losing both their openers within the first three overs of the innings, before Agha Salman and captain Shadab Khan led their recovery with a belligerent 50-plus partnership.