Saim Ayub is Better Than Babar Azam, Claims Fakhar Zaman

Pakistani cricket fans have found themselves in the middle of a fresh debate after star batter Fakhar Zaman made a bold remark comparing two of the country’s finest talents. During a casual chat, Fakhar suggested that youngster Saim Ayub might actually be “better” than Babar Azam, who is widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s modern greats.

The comment came during an informal interaction with his teammates in Lahore. Sharing the moment, Fakhar said, “In Lahore, someone asked me, and I said that Saim Ayub is the updated version of Babar Azam.” Although said in a light tone, the statement quickly spread across social media, sparking discussions among cricket fans, analysts, and former players. The comparison is especially striking because it involves Babar, Pakistan’s former captain and the face of the team for several years.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Fakhar Zaman has spoken highly of Saim Ayub in relation to Babar. Earlier, he had praised Saim as the most exciting batting prospect Pakistan had seen since Babar’s arrival on the international stage. Over time, Fakhar’s admiration for Saim has grown, and the young batter also seems to share a strong bond of respect with him.

Saim Ayub’s rapid rise in international cricket has been hard to ignore. Despite being relatively new, he has already secured a regular place in Pakistan’s squads across all three formats. His breakthrough came in 2024 when he delivered consistent match-winning performances, showing maturity well beyond his age. Many cricket experts now see him not only as a long-term star but also as a potential future captain of Pakistan.

On the other hand, Babar Azam is going through one of the toughest phases of his career. Once considered among the top batters in the world, Babar has recently lost his place in the T20I side to younger talents. His form with the bat has also dipped, and he has struggled to maintain the high standards he set in the earlier part of his career. These struggles have opened the door for comparisons with emerging players like Saim.

Still, most analysts believe it is too early to draw direct comparisons. Babar Azam’s career is already decorated with achievements, records, and consistency at the highest level. He is one of the few Pakistani batters to be consistently ranked among the best in the world, and his contributions to the team cannot be overlooked. Saim Ayub, while undoubtedly talented and promising, still has a long journey ahead before he can match or surpass Babar’s legacy.

Fakhar Zaman’s remarks will likely keep cricket fans engaged in heated discussions. With Pakistan preparing for upcoming international tours and series, all eyes will be on Saim Ayub’s progress and whether he can continue to live up to the growing expectations. At the same time, attention will remain on Babar Azam as he works to regain his form and prove once again why he has been Pakistan’s batting backbone for nearly a decade.

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