Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman, who is one of the most experienced players in the Asia Cup 2025 Squad, has appreciated his team partner and current Pakistan opener Sam Ayub for his batting talent and has tagged him as Babar Azam’s ‘updated edition’.
Ahead of the much awaited India vs. Pakistan struggle at the prestigious Dubai International Stadium, the same site where Indians handed over to the hosts, Pakistan, a derogatory defeat in the ICC Champions Trophy game, the east as well as the current players made some adventurous claims.
While most of the comments were based on rivalry between the two countries, the latest batsman came from Pakistani batsman Fakhar Zaman as he increased the confidence of the young player by comparing him with Babar Azam, one of the greatest modern players in the nation.
cricketballgame.com
Fakhar Zaman has given Sam Ayub status as Babar Azam’s ‘updated version’
Fakhar Zaman is undoubtedly one of the very few players who have played a lot of cricket with Babar Azam and are now playing with the choice of the next generation stars like Sam Ayub. This is due to the batsman’s ability to hit the long ball, so she makes him fit in every aspect of the game.
Both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were removed from the Pakistan National Squad for the Asia Cup 2025, resulting in a lot of outbreak on social media platforms.
Now, Fakhar Zaman has come forward to praise the young Ayub’s caliber as a batsman and has claimed that he is the updated version of former captain Babar Azam during a video appearance on the ACC social media handle.
“Somebody asked me in Lahore and I told him that he is the updated version of Babar Azam,” Fakhar said.
He said, “He is a very different player and I think he has not shown the world 80 percent yet.”
Mike Hessen has also shown immense faith in Pakistani youth
The current Pakistan coaches, Mike Hessen, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been stubborn in not arguing with the press; However, he has also shown great confidence in the modern star Saim Ayub.
“Look, Saim is a major player for us and we know if the SAIM score runs, we usually win,” Hessen said.
“This is not so contributing, it’s one thing that it is your day, you win and SAIM is definitely one of those players,” he concluded.
Pakistan kicks Asia Cup 2025 in commanding style
Like India, Pakistan has made a strong start for its Asia Cup campaign. After being played in the first game, the batsmen scored 160 runs with the help of Muhammad Haris’s commanding half -century.
The bowlers did a remarkable job, as they all contributed significantly to their victory with several wickets in no time. Oman has been excluded for only 67 runs, the UAE 57 to 10 more against India.
Pakistan won the match by a huge 93-r marker and managed to take a big lead of 4.650 in the numeral table, which means that in its third game, winning only against the UAE or even the draw can seal them in one place in Super 4, which can put the outcome of the India vs Pakistan match aside.
Also read: Pakistan is playing 11 vs India- Asia Cup 2025, Match 6
