Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis has strongly suggested that Saim Ayub should be benched, despite acknowledging him as one of the brightest prospects in Pakistan cricket. According to Younis, Ayub’s ongoing struggles in the Asia Cup 2025 have affected not just his form but also his confidence, creating what he described as a “vicious cycle.”

Ayub has endured a torrid run in the tournament, registering his fourth duck in five innings during Pakistan’s clash against Bangladesh. His only notable contribution with the bat came in the high-voltage Super 4 encounter against India, where he scored 21 off 17 deliveries. Despite showcasing his ability with the ball by taking six wickets before the Bangladesh game, his batting woes have dominated headlines.

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Speaking on Sony Sports, Waqar Younis highlighted that persisting with Ayub could do more harm than good. “I said it after his second duck that this boy needs to be benched. He is very talented and undoubtedly the future of Pakistan cricket, but when things keep going wrong, you fall deeper into the shell. That’s exactly what’s happening here,” Younis explained.

He further pointed out Ayub’s lack of confidence on the field, stating, “His body language was poor when he walked out to bat. At times, the best way to protect youngsters is by giving them a break, rather than persisting with them.”

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Against Bangladesh, Ayub fell cheaply again while attempting to slog Mahedi Hasan over the infield. However, he managed to make an impact with the ball, dismissing Nurul Hasan and skipper Jaker Ali. Pakistan’s spin trio of Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz, and Abrar Ahmed proved too difficult for Bangladesh, exposing their lack of answers against quality spin.

Still, Ayub’s inconsistent batting remains a major talking point, and Waqar believes a short break could help him reset for the future.