Former England captain Nasser Hussain has questioned Saim Ayub’s inclusion in Pakistan’s ongoing Test series against England, raising concerns over the batter’s limited recent first-class experience.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Hussain criticised the decision to bring Ayub into demanding English conditions straight after his stint in the Caribbean Premier League.
He questioned whether the Pakistan opener had been given adequate preparation for the switch to red-ball cricket, particularly against the Dukes ball and England’s bowling attack.
“The truth is he shouldn’t be here. He came from the CPL and hasn’t played first-class cricket in some time,” Hussain said.
He then explained why he found the decision so hard to accept.
“I don’t know who thinks it’s the right thing to fly someone over from foreign conditions playing a completely different format and think they’re going to be fine in these conditions against a Duke’s ball, against Ollie Robinson and England’s bowling attack,” he said.
Hussain did not stop there, adding that the move showed a lack of respect for the format itself.
“It’s just a sort of disrespect and disregard for Test Match Cricket. Test Match Cricket, as any cricketer will tell you, is the toughest format. Batting at the top of the order in England is the toughest task. And you just feel you can fly someone in from some part of the world and go… good luck,” he stated.
Ayub made an immediate return to Test cricket after last featuring in the format against South Africa in 2025. He was recalled to Pakistan’s Test squad during his stint with the Jamaica Kingsmen in the 2026 CPL.
The left-handed batter was among seven players brought into the squad for the third Test in Birmingham, after the Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes to the side following heavy defeats in the opening two matches.
Ayub’s return to the side has not gone to plan. Ollie Robinson dismissed him for a duck in the first innings, and struck again with the very first ball of Pakistan’s second innings to remove him for another duck.
England continued their dominance in the match after bowling Pakistan out for 133 in the first innings, then posting 453 in reply to take a commanding 320-run lead. Harry Brook top-scored with 75, with half-centuries also coming from Jamie Smith, Dan Lawrence, Emilio Gay and Robinson.
Pakistan were reduced to 52 for 2 in 12.4 overs in their second innings before rain ended play on day two, leaving them 268 runs behind England and facing another uphill task to save the match.
