Watch: ‘Babar Azam’s updated version’ Saim Ayub registers 3rd consecutive duck in disastrous Asia Cup
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Pakistan batter Saim Ayub has registered his third consecutive duck in the Asia Cup and now has the third most ducks for Pakistan in T20Is. He was tagged as the 'updated version' of Babar Azam by fellow batter Fakhar Zaman before the start of the Asia Cup 2025.
The Pakistan Cricket team has already been facing immense humiliation since the Indians denied the customary ritual of an after-match handshake with them. They have been further humiliated since their board urged a boycott and then later retreated from taking the audacious step.
They also delayed the much-anticipated contest between Pakistan and the UAE, but despite all, nothing seemed to be going in their favour. The match started after an hour delay, and even then, nothing seemed to go as per their plan.
[Watch] Saim Ayub registers third consecutive duck in the Asia Cup
Pakistan's young and dynamic opening batter, Saim Ayub, who has been backed by several greats of the game as well as lauded by the coach Mike Hesson, has failed miserably in the contest. For the last three games, he has been having a dismaying show with the bat.
Saim Ayub in the Asia Cup 2025:
0 (1) vs OMAN
0 (1) vs IND
0 (2) vs UAE
After two golden ducks in the first two games, Ayub's return to form in the do-or-die contest was highly anticipated. However, he has once again disappointed all Pakistani fans, as the left-hander sliced a wide ball straight into the hands of the third man fielder. He was caught off the second ball to Junaid Siddique, resulting in his third consecutive duck.
UAE strike early vs Pakistan 🤯
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Saim Ayub is now third on the list of most ducks in T20Is for Pakistan
Despite being praised for his promising performance in the shorter format of the game, Saim Ayub has failed to convince with the bat. However, he has surprisingly been very promising with the ball, as he has also been handed the ball in the power play, and he has delivered with perfection.
In the first game, he returned with the figures of 2/8 in his two overs after being handed the new ball alongside Shaheen Afridi. While he was Pakistan's only wicket taker against India, where he once again shared the new ball alongside Afridi. Ayub dismissed all three batters in the Indian lineup and finished with the best figures of 3/35 from his 4 overs.
However, his splendid rise as a bowler cannot shadow his poor form as a batter. He is now third on the list of most ducks for Pakistan, with Umar Akmal topping the list, followed by the former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi.
Most ducks for Pakistan in T20Is:
10 - Umar Akmal (79 inns)
8 - Shahid Afridi (90 inns)
8 - Saim Ayub (44 inns)
Most consecutive ducks as an opener in T20Is (FM teams)
3 - Andre Fletcher (2009)
3 - Mohammad Hafeez (2012)
3 - Saim Ayub (2025)*
Fakhar Zaman, the lone warrior for Pakistan in a do-or-die contest
Pakistan were sent in to bat first by the UAE skipper. However, the side is on the brink of another humiliation. The Pakistan batters have struggled to play the UAE bowlers and have lost wickets at regular intervals. With almost 15 overs played in the game, they have not even reached the milestone of 100 runs.
Fakhar Zaman, alongside the skipper, stabilized the innings for some time. However, it was only Fakhar who scored the majority of the runs, since the skipper once again failed to score quick runs with the bat.
Simranjeet Singh's double-wicket over changed the course of the game, as he dismissed Fakhar just after the batter got to his half-century. He returned to hand Pakistan their 6th blow in the form of Khushdil Shah. At the time of writing, Pakistan were 102/6 with Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Harris at the crease.
Tagged:
Pakistan National Cricket Team Asia Cup Saim Ayub UAE National Cricket Team Pakistan vs UAE Fakhar Zaman Salman Agha Babar Azam
