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LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub explained his approach after delivering a match-winning performance against Australia in the T20I series opener played here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Set stiff 169, Australia fell short by 22 runs and could only muster 146-8 at the end of their 20 overs.
Saim delivered with bat and ball to seal a convincing win for the home side.
The 23-year-old scored 40 runs from 22 balls with the aid of a boundary at top of the order.
He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets while giving away only 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and dangerous Travis Head.
The left-hander was looking good before getting caught after managing 23 from 13 balls with the help of two sixes and two fours.
He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets for just 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and Travis Head.
Speaking in the post-match presentation after receiving the player of the match award, Saim mentioned difficult conditions and revealed his plan in the opening over of Australian innings.
“I think the conditions were a bit challenging, but our plan was to dominate with the new ball as much as possible,” he said.
He furhter remarked on Pakistan’s strategy to keep the batters in check by bowling with precise lengths.
“The goal was to dominate sensibly by calculating the innings, watching the ball, and enjoying the process,” he added.
We knew that if we hit a good length consistently, it wouldn’t be easy for the batters to score. That was the strategy,” Saim Ayub concluded.
The second T20I will be played on 31 January at the same venue.
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