In the ongoing second Test match against England in Multan, Pakistan’s opening batsmen, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, have set their highest partnership to date, scoring a modest 15 runs. This partnership highlights the continuing struggles of Pakistan’s opening pair in Test cricket.
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After winning the toss, Pakistan chose to bat first, aiming to leverage favorable conditions for a strong start. However, Ayub and Shafique, who have opened together in five matches, have struggled to deliver a solid foundation for the team. Across their nine innings together, they have consistently failed to provide the required momentum.
Here’s a summary of their performances:
| Partner | Wkt | Runs | Out | Inns | Opposition | Ground | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saim Ayub | 1 | 15* | 1/15 | 1 | England | Multan | 15 Oct 2024 |
| Saim Ayub | 1 | 8 | 1/8 | 1 | England | Multan | 7 Oct 2024 |
| Saim Ayub | 1 | 7 | 1/7 | 3 | Bangladesh | Rawalpindi | 30 Aug 2024 |
| Saim Ayub | 1 | 5 | 1/5 | 3 | Bangladesh | Rawalpindi | 21 Aug 2024 |
| Saim Ayub | 1 | 3 | 1/3 | 1 | Bangladesh | Rawalpindi | 21 Aug 2024 |
| Saim Ayub | 1 | 0 | 1/0 | 1 | Australia | Sydney | 3 Jan 2024 |
| Saim Ayub | 1 | 0 | 1/0 | 3 | Australia | Sydney | 3 Jan 2024 |
| Saim Ayub | 1 | 0 | 1/0 | 1 | Bangladesh | Rawalpindi | 30 Aug 2024 |
| Saim Ayub | 1 | 0 | 1/0 | 3 | England | Multan | 7 Oct 2024 |
The struggles of Ayub and Shafique are reflective of larger issues within Pakistan’s Test cricket framework. The team has not secured a home victory since 2022 and is currently facing a winless streak. Their form was dramatically illustrated by a heavy defeat to England in the first Test, where Pakistan lost by an innings and 47 runs, despite a strong first-innings total of 556.
In light of these disappointing performances, the selectors have made significant changes to the squad, opting to rest key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah. This indicates an urgent need to address the team’s struggles and reinvigorate its performance in the longest format of the game.
As the match progresses, the pressure is on Pakistan to break their winless streak and show resilience against a formidable England side. The outcome will be critical in shaping the future of Pakistan’s Test cricket and assessing the effectiveness of the recent changes made to the team.
