Saim Ayub

Saim Ayub is a Pakistani international cricketer who represents the national team as an all-rounder. He bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off break for various domestic and international sides. Currently, he plays for Karachi Whites in domestic cricket and has represented Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League.

Early life and education

Ayub was born on 24 May 2002 in Karachi. His father, Ayub Ahmed, and his uncle, Mohammad Javed, both participated in cricket at the club level. This family connection helped introduce him to the sport at a young age.

He began playing tape ball cricket in Gulistan-e-Johar. His father and two elder brothers provided assistance during these early years of training. These formative experiences laid the foundation for his professional career.

Career

Ayub made his Twenty20 debut for the Quetta Gladiators in February 2021 during the Pakistan Super League. He later transitioned to other formats by making his List A debut for Sindh in March 2022. His first-class career began in September 2022 when he played for Sindh in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

His tenure with Peshawar Zalmi in the 2023 PSL season proved highly successful. During that campaign, he scored a maiden half-century in 33 deliveries and recorded a score of 74 off 34 balls in match 25. He finished that specific season with 341 runs at an average of 28.41. Before the 2026 PSL, he was released by Zalmi and pre-signed by Hyderabad Kingsmen for 12.6 crore Pakistani rupees. This transaction made him the most expensive local player in the tournament.

Ayub has also competed in various global leagues. He signed with the Rangpur Riders for the 2022–23 BPL season and later played for Durdanto Dhaka during the 2023–24 BPL. Additionally, he represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2023 CPL.

His international journey began in December 2022 when he joined Pakistan's Test squad against New Zealand to gain experience. He made his T20I debut on 24 March 2023 during a series against Afghanistan. His Test debut occurred on 3 January 2024 at Sydney during the tour of Australia. In October 2024, he recorded a career-high Test score of 77 in Multan.

The year 2024 saw significant milestones in his ODI career. After scoring just one run on his debut in Melbourne, he responded with 82 runs in the second match. He later achieved a 53-ball century in Zimbabwe, which was the second-fastest by a Pakistani player. During a tour of South Africa in December 2024, he scored back-to-back ODI centuries. This included a match-winning 101 that secured Pakistan's first-ever ODI whitewash in that country. He became the youngest player to score an ODI century against South Africa while chasing.

An ankle injury interrupted his progress in early 2025. While fielding during a Test match in Cape Town, he fractured his right ankle. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed he would miss the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to this injury. He returned to action in August 2025 during the T20I series in the West Indies.

In the 2025 Asia Cup, Ayub struggled with the bat but excelled with his off-spin bowling. He took six wickets at an economy rate of 5.6, including three wickets against India. Following this tournament, he achieved the ranking of ICC's No. 1-ranked all-rounder in men's T20Is. In January 2026, he delivered an all-round performance against Australia to earn Player of the Match honors.

His batting style is characterized by a distinctive "no-look shot." He executes this stroke by looking away from the ball while hitting toward the leg side. He first used this technique during a 2022 domestic T20 match as an unplanned improvisation. According to Dawn, the shot has since become a signature element of his playing style.

Personal life

Ayub grew up in a cricket-oriented household. His father and two brothers were instrumental in his early development through tape ball cricket.

Awards and recognition

Ayub earned the Player of the Series title in Zimbabwe after contributing 155 runs and three wickets. He also received the Player of the Match award during the first T20I against the West Indies in August 2025. In January 2026, he was again named Player of the Match following his performance against Australia.