Razaullah's heroics delay Saim Ayub's CPL return by a day
Saim Ayub has had a fruitful season with Jamaica Kingsmen so far • CPL T20
Jamaica Kingsmen had booked Saim Ayub on a flight from the UK to Barbados on the night of the third day of the Edgbaston Test, which appeared set to finish on Friday. Ayub's arrival in Barbados will now be delayed by at least a day after Razaullah's heroics stretched the game, which England won by eight wickets, to lunch on the fourth day.
England and Pakistan supporters were glued to Razaullah's remarkable Test innings at Edgbaston on the third evening, but the Kingsmen might have been watching with mixed emotions. Cricinfo understands Kingsmen had secured the PCB's permission to fly Ayub back yesterday, should the Test have concluded in three days. Ayub, who was enjoying a fruitful season with Kinsgmen, was called up to Pakistan's Test squad unexpectedly after they sent home seven players following defeat in the second Test.
Ayub arrived in the UK directly from the Caribbean, where he had scored a century just days earlier. He did not have a similar impact in the whites, though, with either bat or ball. He scored a pair in the Test as opener, and did not take any wickets.
The extra day had significant ramifications for Kingsmen. They take on Barbados Tridents in Bridgetown tonight, with both teams locked on eight points each. Kingsmen need to avoid defeat to guarantee qualification to the playoffs. However, Ayub will not be available. Kingsmen were defeated in the other game they played while Ayub was on Pakistan duty - to Guyana Amazon Warriors last Saturday.
It is understood Ayub will be available for the remainder of the CPL, with no Pakistan international matches scheduled in this period.
Danyal Rasool is Cricinfo's Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000
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