It is not often that a player who is considered a generational talent can’t last an over. But this has been the case going around with Pakistan’s Saim Ayub, who has played just four balls in this ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 but has been dismissed thrice. The southpaw is one of five openers actually coming to open the batting for Pakistan but is yet to get off the mark in the tournament. He has recorded golden ducks against Oman and India and a silver duck in a must-win clash against the UAE.
While his bowling has been a revelation, Ayub has been enduring a torrid time with three consecutive ducks. This has led to many discussions on social media and cricketing pundits haven’t been shy about accepting the adversity. However, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has aided support to Ayub and has pacified the sentiment by stating that this ‘bad phase’ will soon go.
‘Kutta kaat jata hai’: Latif on Saim Ayub
Latif has largely put Ayub’s woes on his luck, stating that a dog can bite someone even if he is riding a camel. It is nothing but an adage that defines Ayub’s batting thus far. He has more wickets (6) than the number of runs he has scored in the Asia Cup.
“Kabhi kabaar aisa hota hai, banda oont pad baitha haiaur kutta kaat jata hai, uske saath yahi ho raha hai [Sometimes it happens, the guy is sitting on a camel and a dog bites him anyhow],” Latif said, as quoted by RevSportz.
Ayub started the campaign with a wild hoick against Oman’s left-arm pacer Shah Faisal and a low bounce trapped him in front of the wicket. In the very next game against India, Ayub played a nothing shot to Hardik Pandya, who was elated having the southpaw in the first over. Then came another killing blow for Ayub, who handed a simple catch to the third man fielder despite hitting the ball cleanly against Junaid Siddique.
Regardless, Latif remains hopeful for Ayub to fire in all-important Super Four stage games. Pakistan are set to face Team India again on Sunday, September 21, as part of the Super Four clash. From Group B, two teams out of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will qualify as well.
“Woh kaha par catch hokar out ho gaya… Kabhi yu maara toh out hogaya, kabhi aise mara toh out ho gaya. Bura time aata haisabka. Bade match me kissi me fodega. ya toh phoot jaega ya phod dega. [He is getting out playing different shots. Bad phases come for everyone. He is in the team for his bowling currently. But he will explode in big games].”
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