Jason Gillespie, the former Australia fast bowler and Pakistan’s ex-head coach, has drawn a striking comparison between Pakistan’s breakout batting sensation Saim Ayub and the legendary Saeed Anwar. The Australian is not the first player to point to the youngster’s elegance, composure, and shot-making ability at the top of the order, which reminds many of Saeed Anwar during his heyday.
Gillespie shared his views during a fan interaction on social media, with his comments quickly spreading across the platforms. “A fantastic player was Saeed Anwar. I see a bit of him in Saim Ayub,” Gillespie wrote.
While comparisons to past greats can often be premature, Gillespie, who has worked closely with the young talent, likely believes Saim has that rare blend of technique and instinct that defined Anwar’s illustrious career.
Saim Ayub’s rise over the past 18 months has been nothing short of meteoric. After being fast-tracked to the international team, he has seamlessly transitioned to the rigors of the international stage. His recent white-ball form, particularly in T20Is and ODIs, has been under the spotlight, drawing plaudits from across the cricketing world.
He has become so instrumental to Pakistan’s success that the team’s underwhelming Champions Trophy campaign was blamed on his absence due to injury.
Although Saim Ayub appears to have a bright future ahead of him, he has miles to go before he can stand on the same podium as Saeed Anwar. The left-hander scored nearly 13,000 runs in ODIs and Tests for Pakistan and defied the limitations of the limited-overs game in his days with a breathtaking array of strokes. But if there is one man who has seen both of these players up close, it is Dizzy, and his approval goes a long way to show how much talent Saim Ayub has.
In a country where every new left-handed batter is inevitably measured against the legacy of Saeed Anwar, Saim Ayub is starting to pass the eye test. And when a seasoned international coach like Jason Gillespie makes the comparison, it’s no longer just hype—it’s serious promise.
