Young Batter Struggles in Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan’s young opener Saim Ayub has found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons after recording another scoreless outing in the Asia Cup 2025. In Pakistan’s group-stage match against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai, the 22-year-old faced only five deliveries before being dismissed for a duck.
This was his third consecutive zero in the tournament, continuing a worrying run of poor form. The dismissal also pushed him into an unwanted statistical bracket, equalling the record once held solely by Pakistan’s legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
Equaling Afridi’s Tally in Far Fewer Innings
Ayub’s dismissal marked the eighth duck of his T20 international career. That number now equals Shahid Afridi’s tally of eight, which the former Pakistan captain accumulated across 98 innings in a career spanning 99 matches.
In contrast, Ayub reached the same figure in just 44 innings—less than half the matches Afridi played. The comparison highlights the alarming frequency of Ayub’s dismissals without scoring and places pressure on his role at the top of the order.
Historical Context of Ducks in T20 Cricket
While ducks are not unusual in the shortest format, repeated failures raise serious questions about a batter’s consistency. In T20 internationals, where every ball can change the course of a match, top-order batters carry the responsibility of setting the tempo early.
A similar unwanted record was set recently in world cricket. In 2024, Zimbabwe fast bowler Richard Ngarava made history by being dismissed for a duck six times in a single calendar year. He reached that figure across 20 matches, setting a new global record that highlighted the challenges of lower-order batting.
Ayub’s case, however, is more concerning for Pakistan because he is not a tailender. He is an opener, entrusted with giving his team a strong start.
Pakistan Progress, But Concerns Remain
Despite Ayub’s struggles, Pakistan comfortably defeated the UAE by 41 runs to secure a place in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. The team’s collective performance with bat and ball proved enough against the tournament hosts, but questions linger over the reliability of the top order.
Fakhar Zaman’s half-century and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s quick-fire 29 runs provided Pakistan with the edge in that match. Yet Ayub’s third straight duck overshadowed the team’s otherwise convincing display.
For head coach Gary Kirsten and the selectors, Ayub’s form has become a point of concern. With tougher matches against India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan in the Super Four stage, Pakistan cannot afford repeated collapses at the top.
Saim Ayub’s Career So Far
Saim Ayub made his international debut in 2021, and his aggressive stroke play quickly drew comparisons with left-handers like Fakhar Zaman. However, inconsistency has been a recurring theme. While he has produced flashes of brilliance in domestic leagues, his international record remains underwhelming.
Eight ducks in just 44 innings is the most glaring indicator of his difficulties at the highest level. Analysts suggest technical flaws against the moving ball and poor shot selection as possible reasons for his failures.
Looking Ahead
Pakistan’s qualification for the Super Four has bought Ayub some time, but his future in the starting XI appears uncertain. With several backup batters waiting for an opportunity, including experienced campaigners in the squad, the management may soon face a decision.
For Ayub, the immediate challenge is to overcome the mental pressure of repeated dismissals. Young batters often go through difficult phases, but his ability to adapt quickly will determine whether he can cement a long-term place in the national team.
Conclusion
Saim Ayub’s unwanted record—equaling Shahid Afridi’s tally of eight T20I ducks—reflects both the unforgiving nature of international cricket and the mounting pressure on Pakistan’s top order. While Afridi’s record came after nearly a hundred innings, Ayub has reached the same mark in less than half that number.
As Pakistan prepare for sterner tests in the Asia Cup Super Four, all eyes will be on the young opener. For now, his personal struggles remain one of the few shadows over an otherwise promising campaign for the team.
