**Asia Cup 2025: Saim Ayub Sets an Unwanted Record**
*By Parth Dhall | Sep 29, 2025, 05:19 PM*
Pakistan opener Saim Ayub, despite being touted as one of the most talented young batsmen, endured a disappointing run in the recently concluded Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. Over the course of the tournament, Ayub managed to score just 37 runs in seven innings, averaging a mere 5.28.
According to Cricbuzz, this is now the second-lowest batting average recorded by any top-order batter (positions 1-3) in a T20 International series among Full Member nations. The only player with a lower average is Zimbabwe’s Regis Chakabva, who averaged 5 during the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.
### Underperformance at the Top
Ayub’s struggles were especially notable as they impacted Pakistan’s top order. He opened the innings initially but was later demoted down the batting order due to his lack of runs. Unfortunately, the position change did little to improve his form. His tournament is marked by four ducks, including three consecutive zeros against Oman, India, and UAE, and another duck against Bangladesh. His only other scores of note were 21 and 14 in two matches against India.
### Bright Spot: Bowling Performance
Although Ayub’s batting faltered, he was effective with the ball. The off-spinner claimed eight wickets from seven matches, maintaining an impressive bowling average of 16.00 and an economy rate of 6.40. His bowling contributions provided some balance to Pakistan’s overall performance in the tournament.
### Career Overview
Since making his T20I debut in 2023, Saim Ayub has played 48 T20 internationals, accumulating 853 runs at an average of 19.38 and a strike rate of 134.11. To date, he has recorded four half-centuries in the format, showing his potential despite the recent slump during the Asia Cup.
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Saim Ayub’s Asia Cup performance serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of cricket, but his all-round skills suggest he remains a valuable player for Pakistan moving forward.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/pakistan-s-saim-ayub-hits-record-low-in-t20i-cricket/story
