Fourth duck in 6 games; Saim Ayub’s performance receives fans wrath

Dubai: Pakistan’s 23-year-old opener Saim Ayub endured yet another failure in the Asia Cup 2025, registering his fourth duck of the tournament on Thursday, during a virtual semi-final clash against Bangladesh.

Facing just three deliveries, the left-hander was dismissed in the second over, caught at mid-on — continuing a string of underwhelming performances that have frustrated fans and added pressure on the team’s top order.

Ayub’s form has been one of Pakistan’s biggest concerns throughout the tournament. In six matches, he has managed just 23 runs, including four scoreless outings, a run of form that has significantly hampered Pakistan’s momentum in the powerplay overs. Despite being given consistent backing by team management, Ayub has failed to deliver, leaving many supporters questioning the faith shown in him.

The latest dismissal has taken his tally to nine ducks in T20 Internationals, making him the second-highest on Pakistan’s all-time list — trailing only Umar Akmal, who has 10.

Frustrated fans didn’t hold back on social media following the match. One fan tweeted, “Saim Ayub is the most overhyped youngster in the history of T20 cricket,” while another quipped, “Saim Ayub has more ducks than there are ducks in the world.” The criticism has intensified, particularly with the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, as many question the prolonged run he’s been given at the top of the order.

Pakistan’s opening combination has long been a contentious topic. While the Babar Azam — Mohammad Rizwan partnership was often criticised for lacking aggression, Ayub’s approach has sparked a different concern — an inability to settle in and play according to the situation. His tendency to go hard from ball one has led to repeated early exits, undermining the team’s chances of building solid starts.

Across 47 T20Is, Saim Ayub has scored 839 runs at an average of 19.97, with a strike rate of 134.88 — a figure higher than many of his teammates, but one that lacks impact given his frequent early dismissals.

As pressure mounts, both on Ayub and the selectors, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether he retains his spot heading into next year’s World Cup.