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“This guy needs…,”: Waqar Younis takes dig at Saim Ayub after Asia Cup  failures

Arunima Purohit

Saim Ayub and Salman Agha [Source: AFP Photos]Saim Ayub and Salman Agha [Source: AFP Photos]

Pakistan have qualified for the Asia Cup 2025 finals after beating Bangladesh in a must-win match by 11 runs on September 25. Despite some failed batting performances, they managed to score 135 runs in the first innings, which didn’t look like a respectable score. However, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf claimed three wickets each and snatched away the victory.

Amid celebrations for reaching the finals, a former Pakistan cricketer slammed Saim Ayub for a series of failed performances in the Asia Cup 2025. While he has been contributing more with the ball than with the bat, the team's consistent failure has been a concern.

Waqar Younis questions Saim Ayub’s inclusion in playing XI

Pakistan’s top-order batter Saim Ayub has been incredible with the ball in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. However, the 22-year-old has scored four ducks in six innings, which is quite disappointing. After yesterday’s match, while speaking on SonyLiv, Waqar Younus mentioned that he had urged the board to bench the batter after he scored two ducks at the start of the tournament. The former player believes that Ayub is the future of Pakistan cricket, but for now, he shouldn’t be in the team.

"Look, I said it after the second duck, I said this guy needs to be benched. It's not that he is not talented; he is very talented. I think he is the future of Pakistan cricket. But sometimes when things are not going right for you, you just keep going in the shell, keep going down and down, and that's what is happening here with him. His body language was poor this afternoon when he walked onto the field,” said Waqar Younus on SonyLiv.

Pakistan to face India for first time in Asia Cup 2025 finals

Despite having a decades-long rivalry, India and Pakistan have never met in any Asia Cup final. However, this stat is about to change as Pakistan will clash against India in the Asia Cup 2025 finals on September 28. After beating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the Men in Green have booked themselves a spot in the finals.

Meanwhile, India are unbeaten in the tournament and became the first team to reach the finals by beating Bangladesh. They’ll play their last Super Four match on September 26 against Sri Lanka. It will be intriguing to watch the epic rivalry in the finals for the first time.