Peshawar Zalmi bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed expressed disappointment over the return of Saim Ayub to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 without sufficient match preparation.
In early January, Saim Ayub suffered a right ankle fracture while fielding during the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa. The injury ruled him out for 10 weeks and prevented him from playing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The incident occurred in the seventh over of South Africa’s first innings when Ryan Rickelton played a fuller-length delivery from Mohammad Abbas past the slip cordon into the deep third-wicket region.
Following the injury, Saim Ayub was advised a six-month rest period to allow for a full recovery and was sent to the United Kingdom for his rehab following an ankle injury.
The Pakistan opening batter missed the Champions Trophy 2025 and the following New Zealand white-ball tour.
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Saim Ayub returned to competitive cricket in PSL 10, scoring a fifty in his first game. However, the left-hander has struggled to find his form since then and is experiencing a lean run in form.
Now, Peshawar Zalmi bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed has confessed that it was a mistake to bring Saim Ayub directly into PSL 10 without sufficient match practice.
While speaking in the post-match studio show, Mushtaq shed light on Saim Ayub’s difficulties with the bat.
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“When a player returns from injury, net sessions alone aren’t enough,” said Mushtaq. “To regain form and rhythm, match practice is essential.”
Mushtaq Ahmed stressed the need for a few club matches for Saim Ayub before returning to the high-pressure environment of the PSL.
“Unfortunately, that did not happen, and now we are seeing the consequences of not giving him enough match time before the tournament,” he added.
READ: Saim Ayub picks only one Pakistani player in his T20I World XI