Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said that young opening batter Saim Ayub could play a key role for Pakistan in the Super 8 stage of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Ponting said that the youngster has a fearless style and added that he could make Pakistan a very difficult side to beat.
Pakistan moved into the Super 8s after finishing second in Group A, winning three of their four matches. The Salman Ali Agha-led team lost by 61 runs against arch-rivals India. In the Super 8 stage, the Men in Green are placed in Group 2 along with co-hosts Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and England.
Pakistan will take on New Zealand in their next match at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, February 21. They will play their remaining Super 8 matches against England and Sri Lanka on February 24 and February 28, respectively.
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Ricky Ponting Names Saim Ayub as Player Who Could Terrify Every Team in Super 8s
Speaking on the ICC Review Podcast, Ricky Ponting believes Saim Ayub could be a key figure for Pakistan in the Super 8 stage, comparing him to Dewald Brevis. Ponting stated that a couple of strong performances from him could make Pakistan very hard to beat.
“He’s [Saim Ayub], I think, that youthful talent that is a bit like a Dewald Brevis. If he can put a couple of good performances on the board, then Pakistan becomes hard to beat,” Ponting said.
Ricky Ponting thinks Saim Ayub could be one to watch for Pakistan in the Super 8 stage at #T20WorldCup 2026 👊
Hear his full take on the ICC Review Podcast here 👉 https://t.co/iEkvxOVZso pic.twitter.com/dLen7sdZWe
— ICC (@ICC) February 20, 2026
Saim Ayub Delivers Inconsistent Performances in Group Stage
Saim Ayub has had inconsistent performances in the group stage of the ongoing tournament. He scored 24 runs against the Netherlands and also picked up 2/7 with the ball. In the next game against the USA, he added 19 runs but did not take a wicket.
Ayub struggled in the high-profile clash against India, where he scored six runs but still contributed with the ball by taking 3/25. In the final group stage match against Namibia, the 23-year-old scored 14 runs and ended without a wicket.
However, Ayub has shown his all-round promise this year in T20Is. In his last nine matches, he has scored 142 runs and taken eight wickets. The young cricketer can influence games with both bat and ball.
Ricky Ponting on Pathum Nissanka’s Importance for Sri Lanka in Super 8s
Ricky Ponting said that Pathum Nissanka has delivered under pressure during Sri Lanka’s campaign. He highlighted that his ability to step up in key moments puts Sri Lanka in a strong position in the Super 8 stage.
“That was an unbelievable catch [against Australia] and then go out and play the innings that he did in a difficult run chase. The fact that he was able to stand up in that moment holds Sri Lanka in good stead going forward in the tournament,” Ponting said.
Ricky Ponting had high praise for Pathum Nissanka’s important contribution against Australia 🫡
More on what he said in the ICC Review ➡️ https://t.co/iEkvxOVZso pic.twitter.com/oIlNh2mbTb
— ICC (@ICC) February 20, 2026
Pathum Nissanka is the second-highest run-getter of the T20 World Cup 2026. He has scored 199 runs in four matches at an average of 66.33 and an impressive strike rate of 156.69, including one century and one half-century. Nissanka scored an unbeaten 100 against Australia in the group stage.
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