‘Entire Pakistan Cricket Team Balance Got Disturbed Because of Saim Ayub’ – Ex-PCB Chief

Ramiz Raja, the former head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has strongly criticized young opener Saim Ayub’s recent performances in T20 Internationals. In a YouTube video, Raja blamed Saim’s struggles for disrupting Pakistan’s team balance.

Ramiz Raja advocated for the return of the experienced Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam as Pakistan’s permanent opening pair ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA.

Pakistan‘s recent 23-run loss to England in Birmingham puts them at a 0-1 disadvantage in the four-match series. Chasing a target of 184, Saim’s disappointing two runs off seven balls set the tone for a Pakistan batting collapse that ended at 160 all out.

Saim Ayub has managed only 65 runs in three innings against Ireland and 57 runs in four innings against New Zealand earlier this year.

Raja believes Saim has been given ample opportunities and has failed to capitalize. He urged the team management to reunite Rizwan and Babar at the top of the order for the T20 World Cup.

“I don’t think Pakistan should continue with Saim,” Raja said on his YouTube channel. “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.”

Down 0-1 in the series, Pakistan will look to bounce back in the third T20I against England on May 28th at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Captain Babar Azam will then lead his men to the USA for the T20 World Cup, where their campaign kicks off against the hosts on June 6th.