Pakistan Announces Test Debut for Saim Ayub in Official Playing XI – Cricket World Cup Pakistan Announces Test Debut for Saim Ayub in Official Playing XI – Cricket World Cup
Pakistan Announces Test Debut for Saim Ayub in Official Playing XI – Cricket World Cup

January 2, 2024

Pakistan Announces Test Debut for Saim Ayub in Official Playing XI – Cricket World Cup

Pakistan Reveals Playing XI for High-Stakes New Year’s Test Against Australia

As the cricketing world analyzes Pakistan’s playing XI for the upcoming Test against Australia, two prominent names are conspicuously absent from the List. Opener Imam-ul-Haq and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will not be taking the field, with 21-year-old Saim Ayub and 30-year-old Sajid Khan stepping in to fill their shoes.

Saim Ayub, who made his T20I debut in March of last year, has earned his spot in the Test squad due to his remarkable performances in List A matches for Karachi. The young talent, set to make his Test debut, brings fresh energy to the team. In the eight T20Is he has played thus far, Ayub has scored 123 runs at an average of 17.57. Joining him, Sajid Khan is expected to contribute his experience and skills as Pakistan prepares to face off against a formidable Australian side.

In a recent announcement, Pakistan has revealed its revised playing XI for the upcoming third Test against Australia, set to commence on Wednesday, January 3. Opener Imam-ul-Haq and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi are absent from the lineup, with Saim Ayub and Sajid Khan stepping in to fill their respective roles.

Saim Ayub, a promising 21-year-old talent, earns his Test debut following impressive List A performances for Karachi. This will be Ayub’s first Test match, having previously Ayub has played 23 T20Is for Pakistan, accumulating 198 runs at an average of 17.57. On the other hand, Sajid Khan returns to the Test side after nearly two years, last playing against Australia in March 2022. With 22 wickets in seven Test appearances, Khan brings valuable experience to the team.

Earlier today, Australia also announced that they were unchanged in playing XI for the decisive match. This will be David Warner’s final Test appearance in Australian colors.

The third Test, scheduled in Sydney from January 3 to 7, will see Pakistan looking to salvage pride against an Australian side that currently holds an unassailable 2-0 series lead. Australia is currently ranked Ranked third on the ICC World Test Championship table.

Pakistan’s Playing XI for the third Test is set to feature a well-rounded group of players, who will be looking to build on the team’s recent success in the series. The squad includes opener Abdullah Shafique, middle-order batters Saim Ayub and Shan Masood (c), followed by the world-class Babar Azam at No. 4. Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), and Salman Ali Agha add further depth to the batting lineup. The bowling attack comprises a potent mix of spin and pace, with Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, and Mir Hamza expected to share the workload, while the all-rounder Salman Ali Agha provides additional bowling options.

Global Vote Looms as ICC Awards 2023 Nominees Prepare for Reveal

Official Media Statement: ICC Awards 2023

The ICC Awards 2023 will celebrate the fantastic cricket players who performed well in the past year. Over three days starting January 3, nominees for 9 out of 13 award categories will be announced.

Fans worldwide can cast their votes as the nominees are announced. This helps pick the winners and brings the global cricket community together.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced the ICC Awards 2023 program to celebrate the exceptional achievements of international cricket players in the past year. The memorable performances from events such as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, ICC World Test Championship, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, and various other competitions will be recognized across 13 categories.

Shortlists for nine categories, featuring four nominees each, will be revealed on the ICC’s official channels from January 3 to 5, 2024. Key awards include the esteemed The Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award.

Nominee Reveals for 2023 ICC Awards

Mark your calendars for the upcoming ICC Awards nominee reveals:

January 3: The ICC Emerging Men’s and Women’s Cricketers of the Year and Men’s and Women’s T20I Cricketers of the Year nominees will be announced.

January 4: ICC Men’s and Women’s ODI Cricketers of the Year nominees will be unveiled.

January 5: The final set of shortlists, including ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, and Rachael Heyhoe Flint The nominees for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year trophy will be announced publicly

These shortlists are determined by a panel of cricket experts who consider players’ on-field performances and overall achievements in international cricket throughout the year. Stay tuned for the announcements and cast your votes to support your favorite players.

ICC Awards 2023: How to Support Your Favorite Players

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is gearing up for the highly anticipated ICC Awards 2023, an annual event that honors the most outstanding performers in the world of cricket. The winners in various categories will be determined by a comprehensive voting process, which includes the ICC Voting Academy and global cricket fans.

Individual award winners will be selected through a combination of votes from the global media representatives, the ICC Voting Academy, and cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Fans can vote for their favorite players on the ICC website from January 3, 2024.

In addition to individual honors, the ICC Awards 2023 will recognize other categories, including ICC Men’s and Women’s Associate Cricketers of the Year, the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award, and the ICC Umpire of the Year. Overall, 13 prizes will be presented during the event.

The ICC Awards 2023 winners will be announced in January 2024 following the voting period. 

The ICC will also unveil the ICC Teams of the Year, highlighting the standout performers in men’s and women’s cricket on the international stage. The ICC Awards serve as a celebration of excellence and a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of cricketers worldwide.

ICC Awards 2023: Complete List of Award Categories

  1. Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year
  2. Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year
  3. ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year
  4. ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year
  5. ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year
  6. ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year
  7. ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year
  8. ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year
  9. ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year
  10. ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year
  11. ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year
  12. ICC Spirit of Cricket Award
  13. ICC Umpire of the Year

Stand by your favorite team! Head to our site and let them know you’re with them all the way.


author
Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.