ISLAMABAD: Former Australian fast bowler and current Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has drawn a noteworthy comparison between Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub and legendary left-hander, Saeed Anwar.
Having worked closely with the Pakistan cricket setup, Gillespie is among several observers who have noted Ayub’s graceful strokeplay, composure, and flair at the top of the order—traits reminiscent of Anwar’s illustrious career.
Gillespie’s remarks, shared during a recent fan interaction on social media, quickly went viral. “Saeed Anwar was one of the greatest players. I see some of him in Saim Ayub,” he wrote.
Ayub’s progress over the past 18 months has been exceptional. His smooth adaptation to international cricket—particularly in T20 Internationals and One Day Internationals—has earned plaudits from fans and pundits alike.
Long road ahead
His absence during Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign due to injury was keenly felt, impacting the team’s overall performance.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old still has a long road ahead if he is to emulate Saeed Anwar’s legacy. Anwar, during his prime, redefined limited-overs batting and amassed over 13,000 runs across formats.
To date, Saim Ayub has scored 1,377 runs for Pakistan across eight Tests, nine ODIs, and 27 T20Is.
Currently turning out for Peshawar Zalmi, the left-handed opener made an impressive return in the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) following a lengthy injury lay-off, notching a half-century against Quetta Gladiators.
Ankle fracture
Ayub sustained a serious ankle fracture during the second Test against South Africa in 2025 while attempting to prevent a boundary. He slipped and twisted his ankle, which ruled him out of the national side for several months.
His recovery and rehabilitation took place in England. After successfully clearing the Pakistan Cricket Board’s fitness assessments, he was declared fit to resume competitive cricket, eventually making his comeback in PSL 10.
