Saim Ayub

Saim Ayub made his PSL debut in 2021 as a waifish 18-year-old, playing a few stodgy innings as an opener for Quetta Gladiators. There were no signs at the time of the potentially destructive power-hitter he would evolve into.

He didn't play any recognised T20 cricket for more than a year after that but an explosive National T20 Cup season showcased a deliberate change in his intent as he finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament at a strike rate streets ahead of any other batter. It earned him a brief Bangladesh Premier League gig, as well as a second chance at the PSL, one he grasped with both hands. With Peshawar Zalmi, he finished among the highest run-scorers in 2023 and 2024, with strike rates of 165.53 and 157.53 respectively. With Babar Azam playing a relatively more sedate role alongside him, Ayub's ability to get Zalmi off to flyers stood them in good stead.

In 2023, Ayub impressed in T20 leagues around the world, most notably in the CPL, but when it came to international cricket, he struggled to summon up the same cavalier freedom, and only rarely amassed quick destructive runs. Considered special enough to break the hallowed Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan opening partnership, he did not have the desired impact and was dropped ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 after a litany of low scores.

At the start of 2024, he was given a surprise Test debut in Sydney. It was a game to forget for Ayub, though, as he dropped a number of catches at slip and endured two failures with the bat.