As Pakistan prepares for the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final against India in Dubai, all eyes are on young opener Saim Ayub whose form has become one of the biggest talking points ahead of the clash.
The left-hander has endured a difficult tournament with the bat, scoring only 23 runs across six innings. His repeated dismissals including four ducks, three of them in the group stage have sparked debate over whether he should feature in the playing XI for the final. His strike rate of 85.18 has further fueled doubts about his role in Pakistan’s top order.
Despite his struggles with the bat, Ayub showed glimpses of potential when he managed 21 runs from 17 deliveries in the Super Four match against India.
However, he failed to build on that effort and soon returned to a string of low scores including a crucial duck in the virtual semi-final against Bangladesh.
Speaking before the final, captain Salman Ali Agha defended the youngster highlighting his contributions beyond batting.
The skipper pointed out Ayub’s role with the ball and his consistent efforts in the field, stressing the importance of supporting a player who has long-term potential.
“I am confident Saim Ayub can still make a difference,” Agha told reporters. “He may not have delivered with the bat yet, but he has been valuable in other areas. Sometimes, one innings can change everything.”
