Pakistan were playing against the United Arab Emirates in a Group A match of the Asia Cup in Dubai. Batting first, Pakistan were nine for the loss of two wickets in just over three overs. Opener Saim Ayub’s bad form continued as he lost his wicket in the first over which was his third straight duck of the tournament.
Ayub’s struggle with the bat started against Oman on September 12, when Shah Faisal got him out lbw for zero. Two days later against India, he hit the first ball he faced straight to Hardik Pandya. Today against the UAE, he played only two balls before edging a wide delivery to deep third off Junaid Siddique. In three matches, he has scored no runs.
Even though he failed in batting, Ayub has done well with the ball. In the win over Oman, he took two early wickets, of both the openers with his part-time spin. Against India, he impressed by taking three wickets, as he was the only bowler who managed to get wickets, and finished with 3 for 35. His five wickets in the last two matches show he is still a valuable all-rounder despite his batting troubles.
In today’s match, by the 10th over Pakistan reached 62 runs for the loss of early wickets with Fakhar Zaman and captain Salman Agha at the crease. Currently in the Group A point’s table, Pakistan are at the second spot with a net run rate of +1.649. UAE are third with -2.030.
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