• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Saim Ayub Can Play For Next 10 Years Salman Hails Naseem Opener After Pak Level Series

“Saim Ayub can play for next 10 years…”: Salman hails Naseem, opener after PAK level series

Aakash Saini

Salman Agha and Saim Ayub [Source: @XeeshanQayyum, @ProSportsStudio/x.com]Salman Agha and Saim Ayub [Source: @XeeshanQayyum, @ProSportsStudio/x.com]

Pakistan crushed South Africa by nine wickets in the second T20I to level the three-match series 1-1. Struggling opener Saim Ayub got back his groove as he struck an unbeaten 71* from 38 balls with six fours and five cracking sixes at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Young fast bowler Naseem Shah, who made his comeback to Pakistan’s T20I setup after nearly a year, also delivered an exceptional match-winning spell early in the game. After the match, Pakistan captain and star all-rounder Agha Salman praised young Saim and Naseem, and reflected his team’s comprehensive performance against South Africa.

Pakistan captain says Naseem Shah is Shaheen’s backup

While speaking after the match, Pakistan captain Agha Salman praised his team for decimating South Africa in the second T20I and setting up a series-decider. The cricketer claimed that getting early wickets turned out to be a decisive factor for the ‘Men in Green’. He said:

“They outplayed us the other day and we didn't give them anything today, it's all set for the final round. I'm very happy with that. Hopefully, we have a fantastic final. We bowled really well upfront, you take four wickets upfront, you're always going to win a game. The other night we didn't bowl well when we started and then we were chasing the game. Today, we bowled really well and they were chasing the game. This is what happens all the time in T20, if you pick early wickets then you mostly go on to win.”

Agha Salman also praised Naseem Shah for his fiery opening spell, and claimed that the young speedster is a perfect backup of Shaheen Afridi. The Pakistani captain further praised fellow all-rounder Saim Ayub, and predicted that the youngster can represent his nation for the next 10 years. He added:

“Everyone bowled really well today and if you look at Naseem, he is working so hard and he is learning new things every single day. I am very happy for him. He is someone who we have like a backup of Shaheen. He is becoming more of a front-line bowler. He (Ayub) is someone who you have to give sometime. Because he is someone who can play for Pakistan for the next 10 years. We are hoping that he can continue and put more of these kinds of innings in the future and become the player we want him to be.”

With series levelled 1-1, Pakistan will now face South Africa in the third T20I of the series on Saturday, November 1. The match will also be hosted by Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.