Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub has revealed how an unexpected focus on his bowling transformed him into one of the most valuable players in international T20 cricket.
In an interview, Ayub explained how guidance from Pakistan’s new bowling coach reshaped his career and expanded his role in the team.
Until mid-2025, Ayub was known almost entirely for his explosive batting. Across 27 T20 internationals, he had bowled only five overs, with just a few more in the Pakistan Super League. His reputation was built on aggressive stroke play at the top of the order, where he quickly established himself as one of Pakistan’s most exciting T20 batters.
That perception began to change when former Australia fast bowler Ashley Noffke joined Pakistan’s coaching staff. Although hired primarily to work with fast bowlers, Noffke paid close attention to Ayub’s rarely used part-time spin.
Ayub admitted he did not truly understand bowling at an international level before that point. He said he had only bowled casually in club cricket and had no idea he could contribute seriously with the ball.
Just four months later, Ayub emerged as one of Pakistan’s standout bowlers at the Asia Cup. He finished as Pakistan’s most economical bowler in their narrow last-over loss to India, a match often remembered for the decision to remove him from the attack and bring back pace bowler Haris Rauf.
Today, according to International Cricket Council rankings, Ayub is the world’s top T20I allrounder.
Speaking to to ESPNcricinfo after a training session in Lahore ahead of Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Australia, Ayub explained his mindset. He said selection and deselection are beyond a player’s control, but effort and belief are not.
“Getting into the team was not my decision, and leaving it won’t be either,” Ayub said. “The only thing I control is my work and my belief. If I’m dropped, I’ll come back because of my game. The goal is not just to stay in the team, but to be an elite cricketer when I retire.”
That philosophy became clear after he was dropped early in his international career. When recalled in 2024, Ayub delivered a dominant Caribbean Premier League season, finishing just three runs short of the tournament’s leading scorer and guiding Guyana Amazon Warriors to the title.
Soon after, he announced his return to international cricket with a stunning eight-ball 27 during a record chase against New Zealand at Eden Park. His fearless strokeplay, including a no-look six over fine leg, marked a turning point.
That brief innings helped cement his place in the team. “It gave me confidence that I belong here,” Ayub said. “I wasn’t trying to do anything special. I just trusted the work I had done.”
The interview also reflected on his difficult early years. At 18, Ayub struggled in his first Pakistan Super League season, scoring just 114 runs at a low strike rate. He later admitted he was overwhelmed after moving straight from Under-19 cricket to facing elite international bowlers in front of packed crowds.
Following that experience, Ayub returned to domestic cricket, progressing through second-team and first-team matches before re-entering the PSL. He believes that gradual development gave him the foundation and confidence needed to succeed.
At just 23, Ayub has already adapted his game repeatedly. He plays all three formats for Pakistan and has adjusted to different roles and batting partners. Even during a difficult batting run at the Asia Cup, where he scored just 37 runs in seven matches, his rapid improvement as a spinner ensured his place in the side.
Since May 2025, Ayub has bowled more overs for Pakistan than all but two players and ranks among the team’s leading wicket-takers. He has been effective both in the middle overs and during the powerplay, using variations such as the wrong’un, flipper, and carrom ball.
Ayub credited Noffke for teaching him bowling technique, strategy, and variation, saying the coach helped turn his casual part-time bowling into a serious weapon.
Looking ahead to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, Ayub played down his importance, saying his role would depend entirely on pitch conditions. He emphasized that team needs will always come before individual roles.
Source: ESPNCricinfo
