Sadiq questions Saim’s role in Pakistan’s T20I squad
“Former Pakistan Test opener Sadiq Mohammad has questioned the selection of Saim Ayub in the T20I squad, saying the all-rounder’s presence in different batting positions is undermining the team’s middl…”
“It is an injustice to the middle order batsmen to keep playing Saim Ayub,” Sadiq. “The coaches, selection committee and captain are destroying the middle order. How can Saim fit into every batting position simply because he can bowl a few overs of finger spin?” he said.
Sadiq said that if Pakistan needed a third spinner in T20 internationals, off-spinner Sajid Khan would be a better option. “If we want a third spinner in T20 cricket, we should give chance to our off-spinner Sajid Khan.
He can hit the ball hard, extract turn and is an excellent fielder. We used to play Iftikhar Ahmed in a similar role two years ago,” Sadiq said. Saim has been included in Pakistan’s T20I squad for the ongoing series against Sri Lanka.
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He has been batting at number five, while the presence of four specialist openers in the squad has raised questions about the balance of the team’s batting combination. Saim took one wicket for 19 runs in his three overs on Sunday.
Sajid, meanwhile, has so far been restricted largely to Test cricket, a decision that has raised eyebrows. He was also dropped by his Peshawar team from its T20 side, a decision that reportedly angered the off-spinner.
Sadiq believes Sajid could prove an effective addition to Pakistan’s T20I squad, potentially filling the role previously occupied by Iftikhar Ahmed, who was often used as a power-hitter in the death overs.
Sajid, who has played 16 Tests for Pakistan, is a powerful hitter and has demonstrated his ability to clear the boundary when given the opportunity, even in the longer format.
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