Saim Ayub Biography: Birthday, Career, Stats and Records

Saim Ayub is a Pakistani left‑handed batting all‑rounder who represents the national side across formats.

Saim Ayub was born on 24 May 2002 in Karachi, Pakistan. A left‑handed batsman and right‑arm off‑break bowler, he plays for the Pakistan national team as an all‑rounder. In domestic cricket he represents Karachi Whites and has featured for several franchise sides, most notably Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League.

Since his international debut in 2023, Ayub has amassed 364 Test runs, 772 ODI runs and 1,259 T20I runs. He has recorded three ODI centuries, including a 113* against Zimbabwe, and taken 32 T20I wickets with a best of 3/25. His aggressive stroke‑play and off‑spin have made him a key contributor in both national and franchise teams.

Saim Ayub: quick facts

Born: 24 May 2002, Karachi
Team: Pakistan

Saim Ayub career statistics

Batting

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest	Average	Strike rate	100s	50s
Tests	9	16	364	77	22.75	54.49	0	3
ODIs	20	20	772	113*	40.63	99.36	3	3
T20Is	64	61	1,259	98*	21.71	139.73	0	6

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best	Average	Economy
Tests	9	4	2/101	49.00	5.50
ODIs	20	9	2/29	50.33	5.26
T20Is	64	32	3/25	21.34	7.42

Figures as of 10 November 2026. Figures from Cricsheet (cricsheet.org), Open Data Commons Attribution licence.

Saim Ayub’s early life

Saim Ayub grew up in the Gulistan‑e‑Johar neighbourhood of Karachi. His father, Ayub Ahmed, and uncle, Mohammad Javed, both played club‑level cricket, introducing him to the sport at a young age. Alongside two elder brothers, he began with tape‑ball cricket, honing his reflexes and developing a natural flair for batting.

The early exposure to informal cricket, combined with family support, laid the foundation for Ayub’s technique. By his teenage years he was recognised for his ability to play innovative shots, a trait that would later become a hallmark of his playing style.

Saim Ayub’s domestic career

Ayub made his Twenty20 debut for the Quetta Gladiators in February 2021 during the Pakistan Super League, though he struggled for regular selection and was not retained for the following season. He later broke through with Peshawar Zalmi in the 2023 PSL, scoring a rapid 74 off 34 balls against Quetta and a 58 off 33 balls in another match, finishing the season with 341 runs at an average of 28.41 and a strike‑rate of 165.53 across 12 games.

In domestic first‑class cricket, Ayub debuted for Sindh in the Quaid‑e‑Azam Trophy in September 2022, and made his List A debut for the same side in March 2022 during the Pakistan Cup. He also represents Karachi Whites in Pakistan’s regional competitions. Ahead of the 2026 PSL, he was released by Peshawar Zalmi and signed by the Hyderabad Kingsmen for a record local fee, underscoring his rising market value.

Beyond Pakistan, Ayub has featured in several overseas leagues. He played for the Rangpur Riders in the 2022‑23 Bangladesh Premier League, joined the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2023 Caribbean Premier League where he earned "Star" mentions in September 2023, and turned out for Durdanto Dhaka in the 2023‑24 BPL season.

Saim Ayub’s international career

Ayub’s international journey began with a T20I debut against New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 14 April 2023. He later made his Test debut versus Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 3 January 2024, and his ODI debut against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 4 November 2024. Since then he has featured in all three formats, accumulating 9 Tests, 20 ODIs and 64 T20Is as of September 2026.

In Tests, Ayub has scored 364 runs in 16 innings at an average of 22.75, with a highest score of 77 and three half‑centuries. He has also taken four wickets, the best figures being 2/101. In ODIs, he has amassed 772 runs at 40.63, highlighted by a top score of 113 not out and three centuries, including a 53‑ball hundred against Zimbabwe. His off‑spin has yielded nine wickets, best figures 2/29. In T20Is, he has compiled 1,259 runs at 21.71, with a highest of 98 not out and six fifties, while claiming 32 wickets, best 3/25.

Ayub’s standout innings include 113* against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on 26 November 2024, 109 against South Africa at Paarl on 17 December 2024, 101 against South Africa at Johannesburg on 22 December 2024, and a 98* in a T20I at Centurion on 13 December 2024. His most effective bowling spells are 3/25 against India at Colombo on 15 February 2026 and 3/35 against India at Dubai on 14 September 2025. Recent international form (September‑October 2026) shows limited returns: two T20I matches yielding eight runs and two wickets, three ODIs with 21 runs, and a solitary Test with a pair of ducks.

Saim Ayub’s franchise and league career

Ayub’s PSL performances have been a catalyst for his reputation. After a modest start with Quetta Gladiators, his 2023 season with Peshawar Zalmi produced a rapid half‑century in 33 balls, drawing comparisons to Saeed Anwar, and a match‑winning 74 off 34 balls that helped Zalmi post 240/2. He concluded the season with 341 runs at a strike‑rate of 165.53, earning praise for his explosive batting.

In the Caribbean Premier League, Ayub featured for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in 2023, earning "Star" mentions in both the 6 September and 25 August 2023 headlines for his contributions against the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots respectively. His stint in the Bangladesh Premier League with Rangpur Riders (2022‑23) and Durdanto Dhaka (2023‑24) added further T20 experience, showcasing his adaptability across conditions.

The 2026 PSL saw Ayub become the most expensive local player when Hyderabad Kingsmen secured his services for 12.6 crore Pakistani rupees, reflecting his growing stature in franchise cricket.

Saim Ayub’s playing style

Ayub bats left‑handed and is renowned for his aggressive, 360‑degree approach. He frequently employs a distinctive "no‑look" shot, turning away from the ball before executing a leg‑side stroke, a technique he first displayed in a domestic T20 match in 2022. The shot gained popularity after he reproduced it in PSL and the Quaid‑e‑Azam Trophy, becoming a signature element of his repertoire.

As a bowler, he delivers right‑arm off‑breaks, often used as a partnership breaker in limited‑overs cricket. His best figures of 3/25 against India in February 2026 illustrate his ability to take wickets while maintaining a respectable economy. Combined with his batting aggression, Ayub is classified as a genuine all‑rounder, capable of influencing matches with both bat and ball.

Saim Ayub’s records and achievements

Ayub holds three ODI centuries, the fastest being a 53‑ball hundred against Zimbabwe, the second‑fastest by a Pakistani. He became the youngest player to score an ODI century against South Africa while chasing, surpassing a record previously held by Brian Lara. His highest Test score of 77 came at Multan in October 2024.

In T20Is he recorded a career‑best 98* against South Africa at Centurion on 13 December 2024, narrowly missing a maiden T20I century. His best bowling figures are 3/25 against India at Colombo in February 2026. He finished the 2025 Asia Cup as the leading bowler for Pakistan with six wickets at an economy of 5.6, earning the ICC No. 1 ranking for T20I all‑rounders.

Ayub has received multiple Player of the Match awards, including the first T20I of Australia’s 2026 tour of Pakistan where he scored 40 off 22 balls and took 2/29. He was also named Player of the Series in the Zimbabwe ODI series after scoring 155 runs and taking three wickets.

Saim Ayub’s personal life

Saim Ayub comes from a cricket‑loving family; his father Ayub Ahmed and uncle Mohammad Javed played at club level, and his two elder brothers supported his early development. The family’s involvement in tape‑ball cricket in Karachi’s Gulistan‑e‑Johar area shaped his unconventional shot‑making and love for the game.

Beyond cricket, Ayub’s background remains modest, with no publicly disclosed details about education or other pursuits. He continues to reside in Karachi when not on international or franchise duty.

Saim Ayub: frequently asked questions

When was Saim Ayub born?

Saim Ayub was born on 24 May 2002 in Karachi.

Where is Saim Ayub from?

Saim Ayub was born in Karachi, Pakistan.

Which teams has Saim Ayub played for?

Saim Ayub plays international cricket for Pakistan.

When did Saim Ayub make an international debut?

Saim Ayub made a Test debut against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground on 3 January 2024. Saim Ayub made an ODI debut against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 4 November 2024. Saim Ayub made a T20I debut against New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 14 April 2023.