Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig says he wants to turn promising starts into bigger scores after an encouraging first outing in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), the 50-over format of international cricket.
Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) digital programme Straight Drive with former captain Salman Butt, the 20-year-old reflected on a debut series in which he scored 185 runs in five matches, made a maiden half-century and took three catches. He told the show he is determined to become a more dependable performer for Pakistan.
Debut series and the Gaddafi final
Baig’s standout knock came in the tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where he scored 74 in Pakistan’s three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. Across the five ODIs he mixed batting contributions with work behind the stumps, ending the series with three catches.
He said his plan was to bring the confidence he had built in domestic cricket into the international game, trust his skills and play his natural style. At the same time, he stressed that match situations sometimes demand restraint. “Sometimes you have to control your instincts and build a partnership according to the situation,” he said, adding that he tried to do that while talking with his batting partner and was thankful to have helped the team win.
Pathway from age-group cricket to the senior side
Baig moved through Pakistan’s Under-13, Under-16 and Under-19 systems before captaining the national Under-19 side at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. He described reaching the senior team as a rewarding step after that journey.
He framed the ODI debut as a starting point rather than a finished product. “I am grateful for this positive start, but this is only the beginning,” he said. His focus, he added, is to keep learning, spot areas that need work and develop his game so he can perform consistently for Pakistan.
What he wants next
Baig’s message was clear: the early returns in ODIs are encouraging, but he is aiming for longer innings and a steadier role. By converting starts into bigger totals, he hopes to settle as a reliable option in Pakistan’s middle order and as a wicketkeeper-batter in the 50-over side.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Saad Baig ne apne pehle ODI series mein 185 runs banaye hain, jismein Gaddafi Stadium par Sri Lanka ke khilaf final mein 74 bhi shamil hain. Woh kehta hai ke ab usay chhoti starts ko bade scores mein badalna hai. Yeh 20 saal ka wicketkeeper-batter Pakistan ke liye regular aur bharosemand player banana chahta hai. Fans ke liye yeh signal hai ke young talent team mein jagah banane ki koshish kar raha hai.
