Young Pakistani cricketer Saim Ayub has expressed his desire to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), terming Royal Challengers Bangalore his favourite team. Speaking on Nadir Ali Podcast, Ayub referred to Virat Kohli and the Bangalore-based franchise’s eye-catchy outfit as the reason behind his admiration for the RCB. In a clip of the conversation that has been dropped on Twitter, the youngster could be seen talking about how Kohli’s “journey from a youngster to a legend” has motivated him. Ayub further labelled the Indian batter as “one of the best athletes in the world.”
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Pakistan batter Saim Ayub on wishing to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL alongside Virat Kohli. #IPL2023 Video credits: Nadir Ali Podcast pic.twitter.com/uNV4M1DPlf
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) April 9, 2023
Moreover, Saim Ayub opened up about his experience of playing alongside Babar Azam for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The 20-year-old said that it was also a dream for him to open the innings with the Pakistan captain. I wished to bat with Babar bhai. We opened the innings against Lahore Qalandars and I scored fifty in front of him,” Ayub said.
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Ayub then shared that he did not celebrate his maiden half-century in the PSL as it came in a losing cause. According to the young opener, he felt really proud to celebrate his next fifty against Lahore while sharing the crease with Babar.
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“Sometimes I get tears in my eyes because I made a fifty alongside the world’s number one batter. There is a picture where I am raising my bat and Babar bhai is congratulating me. I have that picture saved and like to keep looking at it. It is quite an inspiration and gives me confidence,” Ayub explained. In his 12 appearances in the PSL 2023, the Lahore opener racked up a total of 341 runs at an impressive strike rate of 165.53.
Saim Ayub’s dream to feature in the IPL is practically not possible with Pakistani cricketers banned from participating in the franchise competition. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) mandated the rule in regard to the political tension between the two nations following the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai. Earlier in 2008 when the rule was not mandated, several legendary players from the neighbouring country had taken part in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
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