Saim Ayub Faces Fourth Duck in Asia Cup 2025 as Pakistan Fans Lose Patience
Dubai — Pakistan’s young opener Saim Ayub endured yet another setback in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against Bangladesh, recording his fourth duck in six games at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday, September 25.
The 23-year-old left-hander faced only three deliveries before being caught at mid-on in the second over, continuing a worrying trend that has left fans frustrated and selectors under pressure.
A Struggle With Form
Across the tournament, Ayub has managed just 23 runs in six matches, including four scoreless outings. His inability to provide solid starts in the powerplay overs has become one of Pakistan’s biggest weaknesses, especially in crucial matches. Despite management’s backing, the youngster has failed to justify his place.
The latest dismissal takes his tally to nine ducks in T20 Internationals, placing him second on Pakistan’s all-time list behind Umar Akmal, who holds the record with ten.
Fans React With Harsh Criticism
Social media erupted after his latest failure. One supporter wrote, “Saim Ayub is the most overhyped youngster in the history of T20 cricket,” while another joked, “Saim Ayub has more ducks than there are ducks in the world.”
With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, the criticism has intensified as many question why he continues to get chances at the top of the order.
Pakistan’s Opening Dilemma
Pakistan’s opening partnership has been a long-running debate. While the Babar Azam–Mohammad Rizwan duo was often criticised for slow starts, Ayub’s aggressive but reckless approach has created a new challenge. His tendency to attack from ball one has backfired repeatedly, leaving Pakistan without stability at the top.
So far, Ayub has played 47 T20Is, scoring 839 runs at an average of 19.97 and a strike rate of 134.88. While the strike rate is respectable, the lack of consistency and frequent early dismissals have diminished his overall impact.
What’s Next for Saim Ayub?
As Pakistan looks ahead, the coming weeks will be crucial for both the player and the selectors. With increasing pressure from fans and mounting failures, Saim Ayub’s future in the side could determine Pakistan’s approach leading into the World Cup 2026.
