Last Updated on 13 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Nasser Hussain has slammed Pakistan for selecting Saim Ayub for the third Test against England at Edgbaston. Ayub was one of seven changes the PCB made after going 2-0 down in the series, having called the opener to join the squad from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Hussain was critical of the PCB’s thought process given Saim has only been playing white-ball cricket in recent months. The left-hander hit a century in the CPL on August 27, and the former England captain believes that should not be a prerequisite for Test selection in different conditions.
Nasser Hussain questions Pakistan’s thought process behind Saim Ayub selection for 3rd Test against England
Speaking on Sky Sports following day two of the Edgbaston Test, Hussain minced no words when speaking about the Pakistan opener and questions who was behind the decision. Saim was dismissed first ball in the second innings to complete a pair.
“The truth is he shouldn’t be here. He came from the CPL and hasn’t played first-class cricket in some time,” Hussain said.
“I don’t know who thinks it’s the right thing to fly someone over from foreign conditions playing a completely different format, and think they’ll be fine in these conditions against a Dukes ball against Ollie Robinson and England’s bowling attack.”
Hussain went even further to say the selection is disrespectful to Test cricket, especially in England. The fact Pakistan flew Saim in to open the batting against the moving ball was never going to end well.
“It’s just a sort of disrespect and disregard for Test match cricket. Test match cricket, as any cricketer will tell you, is the toughest format. Batting at the top of the order in England is the toughest task, and you just feel you can fly someone in from some part of the world and go, good luck,” Hussain said.
“Virender Sehwag tried it on this ground, if you remember. Virender Sehwag got a pair, and that’s Virender Sehwag, who’s a better, more experienced player than Saim Ayub. So a bit of responsibility goes for the lad for the shot he played, but also whoever thought that that was a seriously good decision and that he was going to go okay this week….”
Ayub was out to a loose shot in the second innings, opting to drive an Ollie Robinson delivery that was not a half volley. He edged to Harry Brook at second slip in what was a terrible start for Pakistan after England took a mammoth lead of 320.
At the end of day two, Pakistan finished at 52/2, still trailing by 268 runs.
