![Saim Ayub Runs Himself Out [Source: screengrab/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1786450042356_Saim_Ayub(1).jpg?type=hq)
Saim Ayub Runs Himself Out [Source: screengrab/x]
Misfielding and running between the wickets have long been a recurring concern for Pakistan cricket, with costly lapses often turning promising situations into moments of frustration. Moreover, such lapses have even costed Pakistan some crucial World Cup matches over the past few years, let alone bilateral contests.
One such lapse returned to haunt a Pakistani player once again, as a familiar running error resulted in yet another needless run-out. The incident occurred on the opening day of the 2026 National Cup 50-overs tournament in Multan on Tuesday, August 11.
Saim Ayub miscommunicates with partner, pays the price
Saim Ayub played an elegant drive through his off side against national teammate Naseem Shah in the fifth over of the Pakistan Whites innings at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on August 11.
The left-hander instantly took off for a run and completed a double with his partner Shahzaib Khan. However, Pakistan Greens fielder intercepted the ball inches away from the boundary and fired a throw towards the wicketkeeper.
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With Saim rushing halfway down the track for a possible third despite receiving no response from his partner, the 24-year-old was forced to sprint back to his end of the crease. As one can expect, the Pakistan Greens wicketkeeper dislodged the bails to send Ayub packing back to the pavilion for just 14 off 18 balls.
Watch the video below:
The needless dismissal was a classic example of Pakistan’s all-too-familiar running between the wickets, where a lack of communication and awareness turns a routine scoring opportunity into an avoidable run-out.
Pakistan’s history of costly blunders
As mentioned earlier, the Saim Ayub incident in Pakistan’s National Cup 2026 was not the first occurrence of a Pakistani cricketer committing a silly blunder.
The ‘Men in Green’ players have a history of fumbling even in international cricket with either needless run outs or costly dropped chances. Former captain and legendary batter Inzamam-ul-Haq was infamously involved in several run outs during his illustrious international career.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s fielding lapses costed them a certain place in the final of the 2011 World Cup, considering their fielders gave India legend and ‘Player of the Match’ Sachin Tendulkar multiple lifelines during his 85-run knock.
A simple dropped catch against Australia in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final halted their journey and denied Wahab Riaz of a much-deserved wicket. In the semifinal of the 2021 T20 World Cup, Australian stumper Matthew Wade knocked Pakistan out of the competition after Hasan Ali dropped a sitter in the penultimate over.
While these remain some of Pakistan’s most infamous blunders on the biggest stage, their tendency to gift opponents’ crucial moments has been evident across bilateral series and Test matches as well.
Saim Ayub continues to struggle with the bat
Saim Ayub, meanwhile, dug himself into further trouble by his early dismissal against Pakistan Greens in the 2026 National Cup. A couple of months ago, the cricketer scored just 258 runs in 13 innings of the PSL 2026 season at a dismal average of 21.50.
Even during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this year, Saim Ayub charted just 70 runs in five innings at an average of 14 without any 50-plus score.
The latest failure therefore adds to a growing list of underwhelming performances for Ayub, who has struggled to find consistency with the bat across formats in recent months.
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