How a 20-year-old cricketer in Peshawar Zalmi is taking PSL, and the internet, by storm

In this photo taken on February 17, 2023, Peshawar Zalmi's Saim Ayub (R) plays a shot during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 cricket match between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan. (Photo courtesy: AFP/File)
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Updated 24 February 2023

How a 20-year-old cricketer in Peshawar Zalmi is taking PSL, and the internet, by storm

  • Saim Ayub shot to social media fame last week for an incredible 'no-look six'
  • Cricketing experts have said Ayub could be an opener for Pakistan in the future

KARACHI: This year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) has shone a light on a number of emerging young cricket stars — and at the top of the list is Peshawar Zalmi's Saim Ayub who became a social media sensation last week with an incredible 'no-look six' that many are calling “the real deal.”

Ayub’s blitzing 53 runs off 37 balls in a game against Multan Sultans last week involved three sixes, including what is called a no-look six that he hit with his head down and without even sneaking a peep at the trajectory of the ball as it came off his bat and flew over the boundary rope. The shot launched comparisons to legendary left-handed batsman, Saeed Anwar, due to their similar batting styles. 

The no-look six refers to a shot that elite batsmen have aimed to hit in T20 cricket ever since Indian captain MS Dhoni pioneered the move against New Zealand in 2009. More and more batsmen, including from Pakistan, are trying these trick shots, especially in the shorter format of the game which encourages ingenuity and creativity, sometimes purely for entertainment value.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News on Tuesday, Ayub said he had worked hard to improve his batting in practice sessions and perfect the no-look six while working on his technique.

“It became a fantasy of mine [to hit a no-look six in a professional game],” he explained, smiling. “It feels good but I have to take it further Inshallah and improve it further.”

A native of Karachi, the 20-year-old made a name for himself in the National T20 Cup in which he represented Sindh and was the top scorer in the recently concluded 2022-23 season, also winning the player of the tournament award. Having represented Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2021, Ayub now plays for Peshawar Zalmi, currently placed third in the standings, with four points.

Ramiz Raja, former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, noticed Ayub’s talents and said he could be one of the future openers for the Pakistan national team, a dream for the young player who is considered a T20 specialist but is striving to improve as a batsman and play in One Day Internationals and Test matches too.

“Everyone has a goal to play for Pakistan and I also have [that] goal to make my country proud,” said Ayub, who has played in under-16 and under-19 matches but not yet been selected for the senior side.

When asked what he thought of Pakistan's fiery pace battery, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah (all in opposing PSL teams), Ayub oozed the same confidence of his no-look six.

“There is nothing to be afraid of," he said. "So, I will enjoy it and I wish they [top bowlers] come in front of me.”

Was there a bowler in the PSL he found particularly difficult to play?

“It’s not about a difficult or easy [bowler]. It’s the situation that’s difficult and the situation that is easy. I enjoy playing cricket against every bowler in every match. I enjoy playing, basically.”

Ayub praised his coaches at the PIA cricket academy at the under-16 and under-19 stages, and also gave credit to Kamran Akmal, Zalmi’s pre-tournament batting consultant, for teaching different tactics to players to help them prepare for various stages of the game against both spinners and fast bowlers.

“I learned something from him every day, about approaching the game with the fielding restrictions, and how to face up to different bowlers,” Ayub said.

Ayub praised Peshawar Zalmi's dressing room environment, likening it to a family, with captain Babar Azam ensuring there was no negativity in the team. The batter said he was happy to learn from former captain and Pakistan head coach Inzamam-ul-Haq, as well as Babar, who also leads the Pakistan team in all formats.

“I never thought I would be sharing a dressing room with these legends but I am very lucky and I feel great.”

Ayub called the PSL the biggest stage for youngsters to showcase their talent to selectors of the national team.

“Domestic is also essential for showcasing talent but you amass the main fan following here," he said. "When you perform in the PSL, you get attention. The entire Pakistan watches you at that moment, the entire world watches you."

And though he's taking it one game at a time, Ayub aspires to wear Pakistan's green colors and make his country proud.

“Everyone's goal is to play for Pakistan,” he said, “and I also have the goal to play for Pakistan and make sure my country's name shines.”


Stuttgart beat Hamburg 3-0 in 1st leg of Bundesliga playoff

Updated 02 June 2023

Stuttgart beat Hamburg 3-0 in 1st leg of Bundesliga playoff

  • The win puts Stuttgart, which finished third from bottom in the Bundesliga, on course to stay in the first division
  • Hamburg, the last remaining founding member of the Bundesliga, were relegated in 2018 and have been bidding for promotion since

STUTTGART: Hamburger SV’s five-year wait to rejoin the Bundesliga looks set to continue.

Serhou Guirassy helped to put Stuttgart in a commanding position to keep their place in Germany’s top division with a 3-0 win over Hamburg on Thursday in the first leg of their playoff.

Guirassy had failed to make the most of a one-on-one chance and had a penalty saved in the first half, but the Guinea forward grabbed Stuttgart’s third goal early in the second half.

Hamburg’s task was further complicated in the 69th minute when substitute Anssi Suhonen was sent off minutes after coming on for a studs-up lunge at Josha Vagnoman’s thigh.

The win puts Stuttgart, which finished third from bottom in the Bundesliga, on course to stay in the first division before the second leg of the playoff in Hamburg on Monday. Hamburg finished third in the second division.

There was a minute’s silence before Thursday’s game in tribute to the 15-year-old player who died after a post-match brawl at an international youth tournament in Frankfurt last weekend.

Stuttgart got off to a great start with Konstantinos Mavropanos heading the opener inside the first minute.

The visitors had Daniel Heuer Fernandes to thank for keeping the score down. The Hamburg goalkeeper saved from Chris Führich, then got the better of Guirassy in a one-on-one, and also saved Guirassy’s penalty in the 27th. Two minutes later he produced another save to deflect Führich’s effort away.

Fuhrich effectively created the second goal in the 51st when he eluded two Hamburg defenders and played a perfectly weighted pass for Enzo Millot, who crossed for the unmarked Vagnoman to score.

Guirassy finally scored with a header to a corner three minutes later.

Hamburg, the last remaining founding member of the Bundesliga, were relegated in 2018 and have been bidding for promotion since. They finished fourth in 2019, 2020 and 2021 before finishing third last year for a playoff against Hertha Berlin. Hertha prevailed on that occasion.
 


Spanish league reaches finish with 6 teams in danger of relegation

Updated 01 June 2023

Spanish league reaches finish with 6 teams in danger of relegation

  • Valladolid are currently in 18th place, the last spot that will tumble along with already demoted Espanyol and Elche
  • A victory by the team owned by former Brazil great Ronaldo would be enough to secure salvation

MADRID: Six teams are vying to avoid relegation to the second division as the Spanish league reaches its finish.
Cadiz, Getafe and Valencia each have 41 points, Almeria and Celta have 40, and Valladolid has 39 heading into the final round of games.
Valladolid are currently in 18th place, the last spot that will tumble along with already demoted Espanyol and Elche. But Valladolid have their fate in their hands because they host 14th-place Getafe on Sunday.
A victory by the team owned by former Brazil great Ronaldo would be enough to secure salvation, but a draw could do the trick depending on other results. A draw by Getafe would be enough for the modest Madrid-based club to stay up.
Cadiz, in 14th place, will play at Elche needing only a draw to ensure they survive.
Valencia, which eliminated Espanyol last weekend with a stoppage-time goal, need a draw from their trip to Real Betis, which have already secured a Europa League berth.
A draw would also suffice Almeria at Espanyol.
Celta, which have entered a nosedive in recent weeks, host champion Barcelona needing a victory to control their fate. A draw would leave them depending on other results. Fortunately for Celta, Barcelona have nothing to play for.
Nearer to the top of the standings, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao are tied on points and both wanting to clinch the Conference League berth that goes with a seventh-place finish.
Osasuna host Girona, while Bilbao are at Real Madrid.
LAST GAMES
Barcelona veterans Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who have won multiple titles between them, will play their last game for the club.
But Madrid’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium could potentially be the last appearances for the pillars of their multiple Champions Leagues over the past decade.
Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, both Ballon d’Or winners, along with Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio are all on contracts that expire at the end of June. The club and players have reportedly been in talks about their futures, but nothing has officially been decided.


Australia’s Steve Smith wary of Pakistani cricketers Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi ahead of Test tour

Updated 01 June 2023

Australia’s Steve Smith wary of Pakistani cricketers Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi ahead of Test tour

  • Pakistan will tour Australia for a three-match Test series in December 2023/January 2024
  • Steve Smith describes Babar Azam as a ‘dangerous’ batter who makes big scores at decent pace

ISLAMABAD: Former Australian captain Steve Smith said in a video uploaded by Cricket Australia on Thursday that the Aussies would be wary of “dangerous” Pakistani batter Babar Azam and fiery pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, as the former world champions build the hype for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of the country in December 2023/January 2024. 

Pakistan will make a trip Down Under in December 2023 to take on Australia for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy between the two sides. The three Tests – part of the third World Test Championship cycle – will be played at Perth, Melbourne and Sydney in December and January.

The tour will kick off with the first Test at Peth on December 14 and will mark the first instance of Pakistan playing a Test at the venue. The two teams will face off in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30 while the third and final match will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3, 2024. 

Pakistan will have high hopes from its all-format skipper Azam and fiery left-handed fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. In recent years, the two cricketers have become a mainstay in Pakistan’s national squad for all formats of the game. 

Azam is currently the only batter in the world who is ranked among the top five batters in all three formats of the game. He is the number one ranked batter in ODIs and is placed at number three in the international men’s T20I rankings while in Tests, he is placed at number five. Afridi is ranked at number five in the Test bowlers’ rankings while in ODIs, he is placed at number 10. 

“Babar Azam is a wonderful player,” Smith said. “The last few years he’s got better and better. He’s someone we have to look out for, he’s dangerous.”

 

 

Smith said Azam is a better who makes “big scores” and does so at a decent pace. 

The Australian batter said Afridi had considerably improved as well over the years, adding that the lanky bowler’s lethal pace with swing is an added advantage.

“The ability to swing it back is obviously a big key for him,” Smith said, adding that the team would be on the lookout for Afridi’s dangerous bowling as well. 

“They’re a great team to play against and their supporters are always there, cheering them on, which is great.”


Rybakina beats Czech teen to reach 3rd round at French Open, Keys loses

Updated 01 June 2023

Rybakina beats Czech teen to reach 3rd round at French Open, Keys loses

  • The Wimbledon champion, the No. 4 seed at Roland Garros, beat 18-year-old Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-3 on Court Suzanne Lenglen
  • “I cannot say that here it’s easy for me. It’s still every match getting better and better,” Rybakina said on court

PARIS: Elena Rybakina’s comfort on clay improved as she eased into the third round at the French Open by beating another Czech teenager on Thursday.
The Wimbledon champion, the No. 4 seed at Roland Garros, beat 18-year-old Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-3 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
“I cannot say that here it’s easy for me. It’s still every match getting better and better,” Rybakina said on court. “It was a bit slippery for me today, I don’t know why.”
She ought to be feeling cosy on dirt after winning the Italian Open, but the 6-foot (1.8-meter) Kazakh is banking most of her confidence on her height advantage.
“This is my good weapon,” she said, “but, at the same time, to move on clay it’s not easy. It’s always I need more to prepare and, of course, be more patient during the rallies.”
The Australian Open runner-up hit 30 winners to Noskova’s 16, though both players had 26 unforced errors.
“I was struggling a lot on her serves,” the Moscow-born Rybakina said.
Rybakina, who beat Brenda Fruhvirtova in the first round, will next face Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain.
No. 20 Madison Keys committed a whopping 74 unforced errors in her 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 loss to fellow American player Kayla Day on Court Simonne Mathieu.
The 23-year-old Day, who won the girls’ title at the 2016 US Open, is ranked 138th and came through qualifying to make her Roland Garros main-draw debut. She beat French wild card Kristina Mladenovic in the first round.
Later, defending champion and No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek faces Claire Liu of the United States. Coco Gauff — last year’s runner-up — takes on Julia Grabher of Austria.
Top men in action include two-time major finalist Casper Ruud, No. 8 Jannik Sinner and No. 12 Frances Tiafoe.
No. 18 Alex de Minaur of Australia lost to Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3.


Koepka deserves Ryder Cup spot: McIlroy

Updated 01 June 2023

Koepka deserves Ryder Cup spot: McIlroy

  • Those Masters and PGA results have left Koepka second in the overall US standings for the Ryder Cup team
  • Rahm said in Ohio this week that where players choose to play should not affect Ryder Cup eligibility

WASHINGTON: Rory McIlroy said Wednesday that LIV Golf star Brooks Koepka has earned the right to a place on the United States’ Ryder Cup team following his PGA Championship triumph.

Koepka bagged his fifth major title at the PGA Championship earlier this month, just weeks after a second place finish at the Masters.

Those results have left Koepka second in the overall US standings for the Ryder Cup team, meaning he would normally be a shoo-in to make the American squad.

However, with the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit at loggerheads, it remains unclear whether LIV Golf players will be eligible for Ryder Cup spots.

McIlroy — one of the most vocal critics of LIV Golf — believes however that Koepka should be on the US team that will face Europe at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome in September.

“I certainly think Brooks deserves to be on the United States team,” McIlroy said Wednesday ahead of this week’s PGA Tour Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

“I think with how he’s played, I mean, he’s second in the US standings, only played two counting events.

“I don’t know if there’s anyone else on the LIV roster that would make the team on merit and how they’re playing.

“But Brooks is definitely a guy that I think deserves to be on the US team.”

McIlroy, however, is adamant that former European Tour players who have signed for LIV — including Ryder Cup stalwarts such as Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia — should not be eligible for the tournament.

“I have different feelings about the European team and the other side and sort of how that has all transpired,” McIlroy said.

“I don’t think any of those guys should be a part of the European team.”

Europe were initially due to be captained by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson at this year’s Ryder Cup. Stenson was stripped of the captaincy however after joining LIV. He was subsequently replaced by Luke Donald.

Spanish star Garcia — Europe’s all-time leading Ryder Cup scorer with 28.5 points from 10 appearances — said recently that Donald had already told him he had “no chance” of making the European team as a captain’s pick.

That decision was greeted with dismay by Garcia’s fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm.

Rahm said in Ohio this week that where players choose to play should not affect Ryder Cup eligibility.

“It’s a little sad to me that politics have gotten in the way of such a beautiful event,” Rahm said on Tuesday.

“It’s the best Europeans against the best American, period. And whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV to me shouldn’t matter.”

Rahm added that Garcia’s exclusion from Ryder Cup contention was hard to stomach.

“I have a hard time to believe that the best player Europe has ever had, the most successful player Europe has had on the Ryder Cup isn’t fit to be on the team,” Rahm said.

“It’s unfortunate. I will miss him.”