Saad Baig Credits Domestic Cricket for Debut Series
Saad Baig has credited his domestic cricket experience for his performance in his debut international assignment for Pakistan, after finishing the home one-day international tri-series with 185 runs.
The 20-year-old wicketkeeper batter made his ODI debut in the curtain-raiser of the tri-series against Sri Lanka. He went on to score consistently through the tournament, averaging 37.00 at a strike rate of 92.96.
His best performance came in the final against Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 31. Baig scored 74 off 75 balls, his maiden ODI half-century, and shared a 149-run partnership for the third wicket with centurion Fakhar Zaman.
Saad Baig debut series: a simple plan from domestic cricket
Reflecting on his performance, Baig said his plan was simple. He wanted to carry the confidence and belief he had developed in domestic cricket into international cricket.
“My plan was simple. I wanted to carry the confidence and belief I had developed in domestic cricket into international cricket,” Baig said in the PCB’s digital programme Straight Drive with Salman Butt.
“Whatever the situation, whether early wickets had fallen or a partnership was developing, I wanted to back my skills, play my natural game and trust my abilities.”
That approach showed in the final. Pakistan chased Sri Lanka’s 326 and won by three wickets with nine balls to spare, with Fakhar Zaman scoring 127 off 99 balls. Baig’s 74 held the middle of the chase together, after the early loss of wickets had put pressure on the home side.
Baig also spoke about controlling his natural instincts when the match situation demanded it. He said he tried to build partnerships according to the situation while communicating with his batting partner.
“Sometimes you have to control your natural instincts and build a partnership according to the situation. I tried to do that while communicating with my batting partner. I am thankful to have contributed to the team’s success.”
The pathway behind the debut
Baig described his route to the senior side as a proper pathway. It began in age-group cricket, continued through the national under-19 team, and led to the senior men‘s side. He also captained Pakistan at the under-19 World Cup.
“It is a very good feeling to have come through a proper pathway, from age-group cricket to captaining Pakistan in the U19 World Cup and then representing the senior national side,” Baig said.
“I am grateful to have made a positive start, but this is only the beginning. My focus is to keep learning, identify areas where I can improve and develop my game further so that I can perform consistently for Pakistan.”
That last line is the most telling part of the interview. A debut series of 185 runs, a fifty in a final and a title win would be enough for many young players to rest on. Baig frames it instead as a start, with learning and steady improvement as the next task.
For Pakistan, the emergence of a young wicketkeeper batter who can score at close to a run a ball in the middle order is a useful find. The tri-series gave him five matches of exposure against Sri Lanka and England, and he finished as a consistent scorer rather than a one-match story.
The test now is the one Baig himself names: turning a positive start into consistent performances. Domestic cricket gave him the belief for the first step. The next step is to keep that belief while international bowlers learn his game.
Frequently asked questions
How many runs did Saad Baig score in his debut series?
He scored 185 runs at an average of 37.00 and a strike rate of 92.96 in the home ODI tri-series.
What was his best innings?
He scored 74 off 75 balls in the final against Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 31. It was his maiden ODI half-century.
Who did he share his big partnership with?
He shared a 149-run third-wicket partnership with Fakhar Zaman in the final. Fakhar scored 127 off 99 balls as Pakistan chased 326 and won by three wickets.
What did Baig say about domestic cricket?
He said he wanted to carry the confidence and belief he had developed in domestic cricket into international cricket, and to back his skills and play his natural game.
What is Baig’s pathway to the senior side?
Age-group cricket, then the national under-19 team, which he captained at the under-19 World Cup, and then the senior men’s side.
