His best spell in the Asia Cup 2025 came against India.
Shortly after the Asia Cup 2025, the emerging star from Pakistan, Saim Ayub, has dethroned Hardik Pandya of India as the No.1 all-rounder in the latest ICC Men’s T20I rankings. This marks the first time Ayub has claimed the top spot in the category.
The 23-year-old climbed four places in the all-rounder rankings after taking eight wickets in UAE fixtures. He now leads the chart with a rating of 241 points, eight clear of Pandya (233).
Ayub’s struggle with the bat was visible as he managed just 37 runs in the continental tournament, including four ducks. The southpaw was demoted to No.3, with Fakhar Zaman replacing him as opener. But he compensated well with his part-time off-spin.
Ayub finished as the third-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in the Asia Cup, snaring eight wickets in seven matches at an impressive average of 16 and an economy rate of 6.40. His standout performance came against India, where he registered figures of three for 35 runs, bowling the majority of his overs in the powerplay while maintaining an economy of just seven RPO. For a side that has long searched for a reliable sixth bowling option, Ayub’s strong performances with the ball provided Pakistan a valuable tactical flexibility.
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The Asia Cup may have been his first multinational tournament, but the rise of Saim Ayub is not a one-off. The left-hand batter has been Pakistan’s second leading run-getter in T20I cricket since the T20 World Cup 2024, piling up 544 runs in 24 matches with four fifties, averaging 23.65. Only captain Salman Agha has scored more runs (561), but with five more innings.
All os Ayub’s runs have come at a staggering strike rate of 142.03. His tally includes 55 fours and 22 sixes, with most of his runs coming as an opener.
Apart from this, the off-spinner has also been effective over the past year. He has taken 16 wickets in 19 innings at a modest average of 21.81. What is impressive is his economy, which reads at 6.71 and a strike rate of 19.5.
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