Failed in T20 World Cup 2026, dropped from Pakistan's ODI squad, Saim Ayub cracks 33-ball 53 in run chase

Pakistan's young all-rounder Saim Ayub had a poor run with the bat in the recently-concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Ayub’s lack of form at the top of the order was one of the main reasons behind Pakistan not getting good starts. While he was impressive with the ball, he was dropped from Pakistan’s must-win game against Sri Lanka. Following Pakistan’s ouster from the mega event, he has been omitted from their ODI squad for Bangladesh tour as well. On the eve of the ODI series opener, Ayub regained form in domestic cricket, scoring an unbeaten half-century in the run chase. 

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Free-flowing fifty in run chase

In the ongoing National T20 Cup, Karachi Whites' Ayub scored 53 runs from 33 balls, featuring seven fours and a couple of sixes against Bahawalpur. The run chase was interrupted by rain. But, Karachi Whites were ahead of the DLS target after nine overs. They won the match by 12 runs as per DLS method. Ayub shared an unbeaten 78-run partnership from nine overs with Abdullah Fazal who contributed with a 21-ball 25. 

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In the previous game, Ayub scored 33 runs from 25 balls. His previous half-century in the format was against Australia in Lahore. The southpaw scored a 37-ball 56.

Ayub makes impact with ball too

Earlier, Karachi Whites skipper Saud Shakeel won the toss and opted to field first. Ayub got crucial wickets of Faizan Zafar and Saad Khan. Saad was dismissed for a single-digit score whereas Zafar missed his fifty. He scored 49 runs from 33 balls. Skipper Mohammad Imran's 35-ball 59 laced with five sixes helped Bahawalpur post 185/8. Ayub bowled his quota of four overs and conceded 43 runs. Mohammad Umar was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 27 runs.

Ayub’s T20 World Cup numbers

In T20 World Cup 2026, Ayub managed to score just 70 runs from six innings at an average of 14 and strike rate of 137.25. With the ball, he bagged five wickets at an average of 14.80. His economy rate was 7.40 runs per over.