Nasser Hussain Slams Pakistan Over Test Selection, Calls Saim Ayub Decision ‘Disrespectful’

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has strongly criticized Pakistan’s team selection and management during the Edgbaston Test, particularly questioning the decision to bring Saim Ayub into the Test squad directly from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Pakistan ended the rain-shortened second day on 52 for 2 in their second innings. They had earlier been bowled out for just 133 in the first innings before England piled up 453, leaving Pakistan 320 runs behind.

Pakistan still trail by 268 runs and have failed to score 200 in any innings of the three-match series so far. Their struggles have raised the prospect of an innings defeat at Edgbaston.

Nasser Hussain was particularly critical of the decision to select Saim Ayub, who had been playing in the CPL shortly before being recalled to the Test side. Ayub was dismissed for ducks in both innings at Edgbaston.

“The fact is, he shouldn’t have been here. He hasn’t played first-class cricket for 11 months and was playing in the CPL 10 days ago. I don’t know who thought that flying him in from foreign conditions and putting him straight into a completely different format against the Dukes ball in these conditions would work. It is a form of disrespect and neglect towards Test cricket,” Nasser said.

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad, who was also part of the discussion, agreed that Ayub should not have been asked to open.

“The players are the ones who ultimately suffer. Saim has been out for two ducks—will he get another chance? I don’t think so. To be honest, I don’t think opening him was the right decision,” Broad said.

Ayub had been in good form in the CPL, including a century for Jamaica Kingsmen in one of his three matches. He was then unexpectedly called into Pakistan’s Test squad.

His return to red-ball cricket at Edgbaston, however, has been disastrous. The opener failed to score in either innings.

Nasser believes Pakistan’s selectors must take responsibility for the decision. But he also questioned the wider management of the team, arguing that Pakistan are no longer playing as a cohesive unit.

“Players have had their teammates and roommates dropped and sent home in the middle of a series. Even a bowler who had taken five wickets in the previous match was dropped. When seven players are sent home in the middle of a Test, the basic values of the team are destroyed,” Nasser said.

He added that such decisions can make players lose faith in the team.

“They start thinking, if the team doesn’t care about my teammates, why should I play for the team? I’ll just look after myself.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, Nasser also blamed Pakistan’s management for the team’s worsening situation.

“Pakistan’s situation is getting worse and worse. Saim Ayub is a classic example of what happens when you spend a long time in the field and then suddenly have to bat without being fully focused,” he said.

Pakistan underwent major changes after the Lord’s Test. Seven players were dropped and sent home, while seven new players were brought into the squad, five of whom were yet to make their Test debuts. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also dismissed.

Despite the sweeping changes, Pakistan have continued to struggle. They are facing the threat of an innings defeat at Edgbaston and are already 2–0 down in the series.