In the aftermath of Pakistan’s series loss to New Zealand, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has expressed optimism about the potential of young talent within the team, specifically highlighting the promising performance of Saim Ayub.
During the post-match press conference, Shaheen spoke about Saim’s capabilities, praising the young cricketer’s skill and determination to become a significant star for Pakistan. Afridi acknowledged the challenges faced by a budding player in challenging conditions but urged patience, commending Saim’s consistent hard work, even during practice sessions.
“Saim has the potential to be a significant star. His ability and hunger to perform for Pakistan are evident. Despite the challenges faced by a young player in these conditions, we need to be patient and provide him with the necessary time. Saim has consistently performed well, even in the nets. Azam is the best performer in domestic cricket at #5/6. His average and strike rate in these positions are the best in Pakistan. If we give these players ample opportunities, they can contribute significantly to Pakistan cricket,” stated Shaheen.
Reflecting on Babar Azam’s outstanding performance, Shaheen acknowledged Babar’s brilliance in playing three exceptional innings but emphasized the importance of support from the other end to finish a game successfully. He suggested that had a good batsman stayed with Babar, Pakistan could have achieved favorable results in the matches.
“Babar once again showcased his excellence and played three outstanding innings. Although he couldn’t finish the games, it’s crucial to have support to take the game deep. If a competent batsman had partnered with him, we could have closed out the matches successfully,” concluded Shaheen.
Despite Babar’s impressive three consecutive half-centuries, New Zealand sealed the series with a comprehensive win over Pakistan in the third T20I on Wednesday.
