Asia Cup 2025: Ranking the best opening pairs
The teams are looking for strong starts that give them the momentum needed to post or chase competitive totals.
2. Pakistan: 8/10
Pakistan's opening pair was under pressure in this Asia Cup, with Sahibzada Farhan showing some performances but Saim Ayub struggling badly. Ayub, considered Pakistan's X-factor, had a nightmare run with four ducks in the tournament. The team even experimented by demoting him to No.3, but the move did little to revive his form. Farhan, meanwhile, managed decent knocks in all three games against India (40, 58 and 57), but did not get consistent support at the other end.
Fakhar Zaman chipped in with occasional starts, including a fifty against the UAE, but Pakistan rarely enjoyed the explosive beginnings. Their top-order failures often left the middle order with too much to do, especially in must-win games. Despite these issues, Pakistan managed to fight their way into the Asia Cup final, which they lost arch-rivals India.
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