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Jason Gillespie, former Australian fast bowler and Pakistan head coach, has recently heaped high praise on young batter Saim Ayub, comparing him to legendary Saeed Anwar.
During a recent fan interaction on social media, Gillespie didn’t hold back his admiration for Pakistan’s rising opening batter.
“Saeed Anwar was one of the greatest players. I see some of him in Saim Ayub,” he wrote on Instagram.
Anwar was considered one of the finest top-order batters of his time. For an entire generation, he was the gold standard of left-handed elegance and top-order class, with over 13,000 international runs.
On the other hand, the rise of Saim Ayub over the last 18 months has been anything but ordinary. He has displayed his outstanding talent in the international circuit, particularly in the white-ball formats, combining calmness with flair, and classic shots with modern intent.
However, a freak ankle injury during the second Test against South Africa in 2025, while trying to stop a boundary, had him sidelined for months.
He slipped, twisted his ankle, and ended up with a serious fracture. His absence during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was clearly felt, both in terms of team balance and spark at the top.
Ayub went through rehab and medical treatment in England, eventually passing the PCB’s fitness protocols before making his way back.
And he didn’t waste time making a statement, smashing a classy fifty for Peshawar Zalmi against Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.
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