Colombo: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, on Saturday R. Pakistan’s young opener Saim Ayub is a player to watch in the Super Eight phase of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins against New Zealand at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
Ponting, during a recent discussion, drew comparisons between Ayub and South African skipper Devald Previs and hailed the 23-year-old’s early promise.
“He (Saim Ayub), I think, that young talent is a bit like DeWalt Brevis. If he can get a couple of good performances on the board, Pakistan will be tough to beat,” Ponting said.
However, Ayub struggled with consistency in the ongoing tournament and managed a modest score during the group stage.
Against Netherlands, he scored 24 runs and took 2/7 with the ball. In the second match against USA, he scored 19 runs but went wicketless, while in the top-flight clash against India, he took 3/25 with six runs.
He scored 14 not out in his last group stage outing against Namibia.
Despite these challenges, Ayub has shown his all-round ability in T20Is this year. In his last nine matches, he has scored 142 runs and taken eight wickets, reflecting his ability to impact matches with both bat and ball.
Pakistan finished second in Group A after winning three of four matches and losing one to India by 61 runs.
For the Super Eights, they have been drawn in Group 2 alongside Sri Lanka, New Zealand and England.
Pakistan’s remaining Super Eight matches are scheduled against England on February 24 and Sri Lanka on February 28 in Colombo.