Pakistan great rips into Saim Ayub’s technical flaw, calls for Salman Agha’s demotion: ‘He often jiggles his head’

Yousaf weighed in on Salman Agha’s role in the batting order, suggesting that the team management may need to rethink his position to get the best out of him.

Updated on: Feb 24, 2026, 21:06:52 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Veteran Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousaf did not mince words while assessing Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha after their disappointing returns in Tuesday’s must-win Super 8 clash against England. Ayub, already facing scrutiny for his inconsistent run in the tournament, failed to steady the innings yet again in Pallekele, managing just 7 runs at the top. His struggles have become a growing concern for Pakistan, with early wickets repeatedly putting the side on the back foot. So far, Ayub has accumulated only 70 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup, a tally that reflects his ongoing battle for rhythm and confidence.

Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha both flopped with the bat against England. (Reuters and AFP)

Yousaf went a step further in his critique of Ayub, pointing out specific technical flaws that, in his view, are hurting the young opener at the highest level. The former Pakistan batter highlighted issues in Ayub’s head position and follow-through, suggesting those subtle errors are proving expensive in high-pressure matches.

"Saim Ayub often jiggles his head while playing powerful shots, and his bat follow through usually ends up in the opposite direction of where he intends to hit. These are costly mistakes at the highest level," Yousaf wrote on X.

Yousaf also weighed in on skipper Agha’s role in the batting order, suggesting that the team management may need to rethink his position to get the best out of him. The former stalwart offered a clear view on where Agha could be more effective lower down the order after he had another low score - 5 against England.

"As for Salman Ali Agha, he would be better suited batting lower down the order, where he has more time to play his natural game #PAKvsENG," he added.

Also Read - ‘You’d be stupid to write India off’: Clarke doubles down on Suryakumar Yadav's men with strong backing in semis race

Pakistan post 164/9 after opting to bat first

Meanwhile, England kept Pakistan in check, limiting them to 164 for nine in their Super 8 encounter on Tuesday. Sahibzada Farhan stood out with a composed 63 off 45 balls, anchoring the innings while wickets fell around him. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman chipped in with 25 apiece but neither could convert their starts into substantial contributions. England’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Liam Dawson leading the charge with 3 for 24, while Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer claimed two wickets each to stall Pakistan’s momentum.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.