In the first T20I against New Zealand, despite Pakistan’s overall defeat, young opener Saim Ayub showcased remarkable individual performances, setting several records at Eden Park on Friday. Pakistan couldn’t chase down the target of 227 runs and ended at 180 in 18 overs.
Saim Ayub provided an explosive start to Pakistan’s chase, delivering a quick-fire 27-run inning in just eight balls. This innings included two boundaries and three sixes before he was run out. Notably, his entertaining knock achieved an extraordinary strike rate of 337.5, marking the highest by a Pakistani top-order batsman in T20I cricket for a score of at least 25 runs.
Before Saim Ayub, this record was held by the legendary Shahid Afridi, who scored 39 runs at a strike rate of 260 during the T20 World Cup in 2007. Following Afridi, Mohammad Haris held the second position with a strike rate of 254.5 during his 28-run innings in the T20 World Cup in 2022.
In addition to his batting exploits, Saim Ayub displayed remarkable fielding skills by taking four catches during New Zealand’s innings. Despite Pakistan’s struggle, New Zealand posted a formidable total of 226 runs.
Saim Ayub’s feat of four catches not only marked the record for the most catches by a Pakistani outfielder in T20I cricket but also stands as the joint-second most by any outfielder globally. The overall record is held by Maldives’ fielder Wedage Janaka Malinda, who is the only player to take five catches as an outfielder in T20I cricket.
