Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has stated that young Test opener Abdullah Shafique‘s technique is similar to Kane Williamson and Rahul Dravid’s.
Shafique made his Test debut against Bangladesh in November 2021 after taking his maiden T20I aspect. The right-handed cricketer recently delighted a productive series against Australia at home, making 397 runs in 3-Tests at 136 and averaging 79.40. His best of 136* came against Australia in the primary Test in Rawalpindi.
What a knock 👏
Abdullah Shafique brings up his maiden Test century!
Watch the first #PAKvAUS Test LIVE and for FREE on https://t.co/CPDKNx77KV (in select regions) 📺#WTC23 | https://t.co/oblLRqTkwK pic.twitter.com/zN2teZixxn
— ICC (@ICC) March 8, 2022
According to a local newspaper, Azam said regarding the 22-year-old Shafique, as mentioned by Cricket Pakistan:
“I personally watch and definitely enjoy Abdullah’s stylish batting. He plays very clean; his stance and the way he ducks the ball are impressive. Usually, we compare him to Kane Williamson and Rahul Dravid. We call him Dravid. In the presence of Abdullah, the place of opener Shan Masood, another polished batter, may be in doubt, but our main aim in selecting an individual is the team’s interest.”
Masood made his debut for Pakistan in 2013 and has been on the sidelines in Test cricket after January 2021. Although, the left-hander has been productive in the County Championship, topping the Division Two’s runner charts. He has accrued 844 runs in six matches at an average of 93.77, securing three 50 and as many tons.
Pakistan to face West Indies in 3-match ODI series
PCB announces schedule of West Indies ODIs#PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/JR1dPvnTM5
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 28, 2022
Babar Azam and co. are gearing up to take on the West Indies at home in a 3-games ODI rubber. All 3-fixtures will take place at the Rawalpindi Stadium, Pakistan. The hosts’ 16-man team for the series is as follows:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper/batter), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/batter), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim (Jr.).
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