Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said that young opener Sam Ayub can play an important role for Pakistan in the Super 8 stage of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Ponting said that the young player has a fearless style and added that he can make Pakistan a very difficult team to beat.
Pakistan reached the Super 8s after finishing second in Group A by winning three of its four matches. The Salman Ali Aga-led team lost to arch-rivals India by 61 runs. At the Super 8 stage, the Men in Green have been drawn in Group 2 along with co-hosts Sri Lanka, New Zealand and England.
Pakistan will play in its next match on Saturday, 21 February at R. They will take on New Zealand at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. They will play their remaining Super 8 matches against England and Sri Lanka on February 24 and February 28 respectively.
Ricky Ponting names Sam Ayub as the player who could scare every team in the Super 8
Speaking On the ICC Review Podcast, Ricky Ponting believes Sam Ayub can be a key figure for Pakistan in the Super 8 stage, comparing him to Dewald Brevis. Ponting said that some strong performances from them will make it very difficult to defeat Pakistan.
“he is [Saim Ayub]He’s a young talent, a bit like Dewald Brewis, I guess. Ponting said, if they can put up some good performances on the board then it will be difficult to beat Pakistan.
Ricky Ponting feels Sam Ayub could be the favorite for Pakistan in the Super 8 stage #T20WorldCup 2026
Listen to his full opinion on the ICC Review Podcast here https://t.co/iEkvxOVZso pic.twitter.com/dLen7sdZWe
– ICC (@ICC) 20 February 2026
Saim Ayub performed inconsistently in the group stage
Saim Ayub’s performances have been inconsistent in the group stage of the ongoing tournament. He scored 24 runs against Netherlands and also took 2 wickets for 7 runs with the ball. In the next game against the USA, he added 19 runs but did not take a wicket.
Ayub struggled in the high-profile encounter against India, where he scored six runs but still took 3 for 25 with the ball. In the final group stage match against Namibia, the 23-year-old scored 14 runs and finished without any wicket.
However, Ayub has shown his all-round performance in T20Is this year. In his last nine matches he has scored 142 runs and taken eight wickets. The young cricketer can impact the game with both bat and ball.
Ricky Ponting on Pathum Nissanka’s importance for Sri Lanka in Super 8
Ricky Ponting said Pathum Nissanka has performed under pressure during the Sri Lankan campaign. He highlighted that his ability to step forward at crucial moments puts Sri Lanka in a strong position at the Super 8 stage.
“That was an incredible catch [against Australia] And then go out and play the innings that he played in a tough run chase. Ponting said, “The fact that he was able to stand at that moment puts Sri Lanka in a good position moving forward in the tournament.”
Ricky Ponting highly praised Pathum Nissanka’s vital contribution against Australia
More about what he said in the ICC review https://t.co/iEkvxOVZso pic.twitter.com/oIlNh2mbTb
– ICC (@ICC) 20 February 2026
Pathum Nissanka is the second-highest run-scorer in the T20 World Cup 2026. He has scored 199 runs in four matches at an average of 66.33 and an excellent strike rate of 156.69, which includes one century and one half-century. Nissanka scored an unbeaten 100 against Australia in the group stage.
Also read: “Bizarre experience”: Jacob Duffy on sharing dressing room with Virat Kohli