Saim Ayub fielding effort (Source: Screengrab from PSL video)
Pakistan's fielding is often in the headlines for the wrong reasons. However, on Sunday, Saim Ayub proved to the world that the case wonât always be the same.
Ayub was in action in Match 5 of PSL 2026 when Hyderabad Kingsmen were up against Quetta Gladiators. The Pakistan opener was fielding at deep point during the 19th over of Quettaâs innings, and there, an effort made by him hogged the limelight.
Keeping in mind that Pakistan's fielding often draws everyoneâs attention due to sloppy play and dropped catches, and later becomes meme material, it was an incredible effort from Saim Ayub that left cricket fans in shock.
Saim Ayub Defies Physics, Saves A Six!
Facing Australia's Riley Meredith, England all-rounder Tom Curran whacked him for a lofted shot towards the offside. Ayub, placed at the deep point, jumped in perfection to grab that catch, but the momentum took him out of the boundary ropes.
Hence, to save a certain six, he threw the ball inside the ropes before landing badly. In the process, he saved four important runs, making the moment special for Pakistan fans.
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However, Ayub could not do much with the bat after coming to open the innings for Hyderabad. He smashed two fours, but that was all in his four-ball 8, as Alzarri Joseph nicked him behind, to Ben McDermott.
Was Saim Ayub Injured After Acrobatic Fielding Effort?
Previously, Ayub suffered a freak ankle injury in January 2025 in South Africa. He was seen in a lot of pain after the effort he put into saving a six.
However, he came to bat later on, which meant the injury was minor only, and he was fully fit to take the bat in hand. Unfortunately, he made little impact with the bat apart from two boundaries.
Ayub did not make significant impact in the PSL 2026 opener against Shaheen Afridi-led Lahore Qalandars, having only made 17 off 13 deliveries before losing his wicket.
Hyderabad On Backfoot Vs Quetta After Ayub's Wicket
Batting first, Quetta made 174/8 in 20 overs, with Shamyl Hussain making 54 off 41 balls, with three fours and as many sixes. Hasan Nawaz batted with control, lasting 40 balls for his 53, while Tom Curranâs breezy 18-ball 31 helped them get past the challenging 170-run mark.
With the ball, Riley Meredith did the most damage, taking three wickets for 38 runs off his four overs. Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets in two balls, while Ayub conceded 26 runs off his four-over quota for no success.
Coming to chase, Hyderabad lost Ayub early, and after that, Maaz Sadaqat fell for a two-ball duck. At the time of writing, Hyderabad are 34/2 after 4.3 overs, needing 141 runs off 92 balls for the victory.
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