Saim Ayub OUT of Pakistan Playing XI vs India in Asia Cup final

Former Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis has urged the Pakistani team management to drop Saim Ayub for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 final against India.

The former cricketer-turned-commentator's comments came after Ayub once again disappointed with the bat and was out for a duck against Bangladesh on Thursday (September 25). It was his fourth duck in six games in the ongoing continental championship.

4 ducks for Ayub in 6 innings

Saim Ayub failed to open his account in all three group stage matches against Oman, India, and the UAE. He finally opened his account with a 21-run knock against India in the Super 4s before being dismissed for 2 against Sri Lanka.

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On Thursday, he squandered the opportunity to get some much-needed runs under his belt as Mahedi Hasan dismissed him for a three-ball duck.

Waqar Younis calls for Saim Ayub's omission

With Saim Ayub struggling with the bat in the Asia Cup, Waqar Younis has said that the youngster needs to be benched for the final. The Pakistan great hailed the young batsman and called him the future of Pakistan cricket before saying that he needs to be benched for his own good.

"I said it after the second duck, I said that this guy needs to be benched. It isn’t that he is not talented; he is very talented. I think he is the future of Pakistan cricket. But sometimes when things aren’t going right for you, you just keep going in the shell, keep going down and down, and that is what’s happening here with him," Waqar Younis said while speaking on Sony Sports.

"His body language was poor this afternoon when he walked onto the field. You know, he (Ayub) is a youngster, you really need to look after them sometimes, by just not playing them sometimes," Younis added.

Saim Ayub has done well with the ball

While Saim Ayub has struggled with the bat, he has delivered consistently with the ball. Even against Bangladesh, he picked up two crucial wickets as Pakistan won the match by 11 runs to set up a mouthwatering clash with India.

Pakistan have already suffered two losses against India in the ongoing tournament and will look to turn things around in the final. Meanwhile, India will take on Sri Lanka in their last Super 4s match before playing the final on Sunday.

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