Gillespie Observes Similarities Between Ayub and Anwar’s Playing Style

Former Australian fast bowler and ex-Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has made an interesting comparison, likening rising star Saim Ayub to the legendary Pakistani left-handed batsman, Saeed Anwar.

Gillespie, having worked closely within Pakistani cricket, isn’t the only one who has recognized shades of Anwar in Ayub’s stylish batting, composure, and talent at the top of the order – characteristics synonymous with Anwar’s impactful career.

Gillespie’s remarks during a recent social media interaction with fans quickly gained traction online. “Saeed Anwar stood out as one of the greats. I see echoes of him in Saim Ayub,” Gillespie stated.

Ayub’s progress over the last year and a half has been noteworthy. His smooth adaptation to international cricket, especially in T20Is and ODIs, has earned him considerable recognition from both followers and analysts.

His absence from Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign due to injury seemingly affected the team’s performance. Yet, at 22 years old, Ayub has a considerable path ahead to approach Saeed Anwar’s celebrated legacy. Anwar recorded over 13,000 runs across all formats and revolutionized limited-overs batting during his peak.

To date, Saim Ayub has amassed 1,377 runs in eight Tests, nine ODIs, and 27 T20Is representing Pakistan.

The left-handed opening batsman, currently playing for Peshawar Zalmi, demonstrated a significant comeback in the Pakistan Super League (PSL)’s tenth edition, achieving a half-century against the Quetta Gladiators after recovering from an injury.

Ayub sustained a serious ankle fracture during the second Test match against South Africa in 2025 when attempting to prevent a boundary. He slipped and twisted his ankle, leading to his absence from the national squad for several months.

His recovery and medical care occurred in England. Following successful completion of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s fitness evaluations, he gained clearance to return to competitive cricket, eventually marking his return in PSL 10.