Saim Ayub and Shaheen Shah Afridi decided to throw all the curveball into the clash of the Asia Cup against India – literally and figuratively. Although Pakistan ended up on the losing side, the two young weapons were the shows of the show. It sounds like a victory for Pakistan, isn’t it? Well … kind of.
Here’s Kicker: Saim and Shaheen, two of the brightest Pakistan cricket prospects, were busy rewriting the script. Saim Bowling as a man owned – three goals for 35 runs in four exceeds. Shaheen? He exchanged his usual bowling prowess for a bat and hammered the unbeaten 33 of only 16 balls. Yeah, you read that right. The dough turned the pitch and the pitch turned the dough.
Meanwhile, so -called “experts” in their usual roles decided to take a day off, and Pakistan had one of the most overwhelming defeats in India, T20is. Talk about twists! If this match was a film, it would be called a great reverse role – soon approaching the cricket land in your area.
That’s right here where Pakistanic cricket headache begins – and refuses to go away. While Shaheen’s portrait was an experience he was watching, it was also a neon sign shouting, “Where are the real doughs?” And Ayub’s raid of three goals? Incredible, yes – but also a polite strike at Pakistani pitching: “Do you need a hand, guys?”
Pakistan does not earn on chances
After Pakistan won the throwing, they threw themselves and accumulated a solid 42 runs in powerplay. Jasprit Bumrah, who did not admit six in Pakistan in the last five T20is, suddenly found himself a victim of one, but two monstrous six outside the Sahibzada Farhan bat – who, incidentally, ended up as a Pakistani highest shooter. Talk about the statement!
Just when it seemed that Pakistan came to the playground, along the Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar patel to throw away the heat – or more like, push life from Pakistani shifts. Another nine crossed saw Pakistan score of painfully slow 36 runs. Limit? No. Singles? It could also be invisible. It was as if Batsmen decided to take a tea break together.
If it wasn’t for Shaheen’s unexpected fireworks-four sixes, including the 16th of the last over Hardik Pandyou-Pakistan, he could chase a degrading milestone after 100 runs. The final score was decent, if you step hard enough, but on the playground so species to the skews it was basically a large Ol ‘meh.
On the bowling side it was a classic case “Where are everyone?” With the exception of Saim Ayub, who bowed, as if he had actually read the newsletter, Pakistani padders tried to get some goals. Ayub was a lonely ranger who made his best impression on a specialist while others seemed to be more interested in giving off freebies than goals.
Wasim Akram hits a nail on the head
After the Pakistani defeat, the legendary Wasim Akram did not delay – he intervened the nail directly on his head. He pointed out that Saim Ayub, who would pick up the goals, is just a nice little bonus, because let’s face it, bowling is not exactly his daily work.
Ayub has taken five goals in the tournament so far – impressive, right? Well, here’s Twist: he still has to open his tab account and has been gifted with gold ducks. Yeah, zero, Zilch, Nada with a bat.
So Ayub basically makes a double duty like overchiever Moonlighting in a bad profession – stepping with the ball, but hits a bat.
As Wasim suggested, if he wanted to win Pakistan, they probably need him to stick to what he was supposed to do … or maybe figure out how to completely avoid ducks.
“If he takes the goals, it is a bonus for Pakistan. But it plays as a clean dough that can give you 3 to 4 exceeding if necessary. The key is not to turn it into a full-time pitch-is the main task is the team’s score,” Akram said after Sony Sports Network.
“Someone – either his coach or his captain – has to sit and say,” Look, you’re the main dough. Sometimes it is okay to see the best pitching. If you are facing the number one pitcher in the world, respect it, “Akram added.
Yes, Pakistan has lost with India – but hey, it’s not lost yet! With a still healthy clean run in the back pocket, Pakistan looks at a strong comeback when he participates in a strong Arab Emirate in Dubai.
– ends
Published:
Amar Pancker
Published on:
September 15, 2025
