Nasser names Saim as Pak's next star
Ex- England captain Naseer Hussain is a highly respected cricket expert and commentator due to his fair, unbiased views on the game. PHOTO: AFP
Former England captain Nasser Hussain identified Pakistan's young batting prodigy Saim Ayub as a potential candidate for the next generation of cricket's 'Fab Four.'
Speaking on a cricket podcast alongside Michael Atherton, Hussain praised Ayub for his dynamic batting at the top of the order and his adaptability across all formats.
"I'm going to go with Saim Ayub, who I think is a multi-format player. He just had this injury, and it's uncertain whether he'll be fit for the Champions Trophy, but he could be a dynamic player at the top of the order for Pakistan across all formats," Hussain remarked.
The former legend's other picks for the coveted quartet included England's Harry Brook and India's Yashasvi Jaiswal. He also mentioned Travis Head as a contender, though Atherton humorously vetoed this choice, citing Head's age as a disqualification from being part of the new generation.
Atherton, for his part, suggested Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis and New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, alongside England's Harry Brook and India's Yashasvi Jaiswal, as possible members of the next 'Fab Four.'
The term 'Fab Four' was first introduced by legendary commentator Martin Crowe in 2013, when he predicted that Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson would dominate world cricket.
Over the past decade, this quartet has set a high standard of consistency and excellence across all formats, establishing a benchmark for future players to strive toward.
Saim, despite being in the early stages of his international career, has already caught the eye with his stellar performances.
The 22-year-old made his international debut against Afghanistan in March 2023 and has quickly accumulated 44 international caps.
His ODI record stands outthree centuries and a half-century in just nine matchesshowcasing his ability to thrive under pressure. His aggressive yet composed batting style has made him a standout performer for Pakistan.
The left-handed batter was instrumental in Pakistan's 3-0 whitewash of South Africa in the three-match ODI series last year, scoring two centuries and earning Player of the Series honors.
However, he is currently sidelined due to a fractured right ankle sustained during the opening day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa.
He was initially ruled out for six weeks, which will cause him to miss the upcoming two-match home Test series against the West Indies and the tri-nation series against New Zealand and South Africa.
To ensure he recovers in time for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent Ayub to London with assistant coach Azhar Mahmood for treatment.
The PCB is awaiting a final update on his fitness before finalizing the national squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9.
Sources within the PCB have revealed that the board has decided not to announce a provisional squad for the tournament and will instead submit the names directly to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The final squad will be determined only after Ayub's fitness status is confirmed. The squad is expected to be finalized by February 11, after which it will be submitted for ICC approval.