Tag: Abdullah Shafique

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique admitted that luck played a part in his hard-fought fifty against South Africa on the opening day of second Test played here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Abdullah made 57 from 146 balls — the second most balls faced by Pakistan batter on the opening day, with the help of four boundaries.

The right-hander, who was in search of runs, rode his luck and scored his fifth Test half-century. He was dropped three times on 0, 15, and 41.

Speaking at the end of the day’s play, Abdullah reflected on his knock and talked about the dropped chances.

“This is cricket — these things happen to us as well, and it happened to them today. In the end, it worked in our favor. I believe in international cricket, you need a bit of luck too,” he told reporters in a press conference.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

Regarding his run drought in the past couple of years, the 25-year-old emphasized hard work and training to overcome recurring mistakes.

“Every professional goes through a lean patch — I think I’m going through that phase. But good players are those who overcome these challenges. I’ve been working hard in the nets and in the camps before this. I’ve been working on correcting my mistakes.”

We have many senior players in the team, and everyone goes through this phase. I try to talk as much as I can — the more you talk, the more you learn and reflect,” he continued.

He also mentioned the surface, explaining why Pakista’s scoring rate was on the slower side and revealed what he believed would be an ideal first innings total.

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“Compared to Lahore, there isn’t a major change in this wicket, but the outfield here is a bit slower, which is why the scoring rate was slightly lower. Otherwise, it’s quite similar — no big difference,” he explained.

“We’ll try to bat as long as we can so that we can score enough runs to help our bowlers later. The pitch will get drier and we’ll get more turn. Ideally, we’d like to get to around 320–350,” Abdullah concluded.

READ: Saud holds firm as South Africa’s late strike leave opening day evenly poised

RAWALPINDI: Shan Masood’s composed knock and Abdullah Shafique’s hard-fought fifty laid a solid platform for Pakistan, but South Africa clawed back with late strikes to leave the opening day of the second Test finely balanced.

At the end of day one here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan were 259-5. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 42 from 105 balls while Salman Ali Agha scored 10* from 25 deliveries.

The home side continued their innings from 177-3 after the tea break, with skipper Shan Masood adding 35 more runs with Saud Shakeel.

The scorecard read 212 when the visitors got a vital breakthrough in the form of Masood. The southpaw made 87 from 176 balls, striking three sixes and two fours.

With the wicket of the set batter in the dying hours of the day, South Africa sensed an opening as Mohammad Rizwan arrived at the crease. He added another 34 runs with Shakeel before getting caught for 19 from 39 deliveries.

Consequenlty, Pakistan were reduced to 245-6 with still few overs to play. However, Salman Ali Agha and Shakeel added 13* more and survived the day to set up an intriguing second day’s play.

For South Africa, Simon Harmer and returning Keshav Maharaj were pick of the bowlers, scalping two apiece, whereas Kagiso Rabada had one to his name in the wickets column.

At tea break, Pakistan made 177-3 with skipper Shan Masood standing firm on 77 off 144 balls alongside Saud Shakeel, who was unbeaten on 6, steering Pakistan to a steady position after a productive afternoon session.

Resuming at 95-1 after lunch, Masood and Abdullah Shafique extended their second-wicket partnership, adding 111 valuable runs to keep the Proteas at bay.

Both batters brought up well-crafted fifties, Masood his 13th in Test cricket and Shafique his sixth, as the pair looked set for a big stand before South Africa found a way back.

Off-spinner Simon Harmer, who had struck earlier in the morning session, broke through once again, dismissing Shafique for 57 off 146 deliveries.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

The dismissal ended what had been a resilient partnership that formed the backbone of Pakistan’s innings.

Soon after, Keshav Maharaj joined the act, removing Babar Azam for 16 off 22 balls, leaving the hosts at 167-3 in 56 overs.

Despite the quick wickets, Masood held his composure, mixing solid defence with timely aggression to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Earlier, Pakistan had opted to bat first after winning the toss. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique started confidently, negotiating the new ball well before Harmer provided the breakthrough by bowling Imam for 17 off 35 balls.

Masood’s arrival immediately shifted momentum back in Pakistan’s favour as the left-hander took the attack to South Africa’s spinners, striking three sixes and a boundary before lunch.

He and Shafique ensured Pakistan headed into the first break comfortably placed at 95-1.

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Pakistan entered the match with one change from the opening Test, handing a long-awaited Test debut to 38-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, who replaced Hasan Ali.

South Africa, meanwhile, welcomed back Keshav Maharaj from injury, while Marco Jansen also returned, replacing Wiaan Mulder and Prenelan Subrayen.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan began their ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign in style last week, defeating defending champions South Africa by 93 runs in Karachi to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

READ: Marnus Labuschagne reveals reason behind continued batting struggles

Pakistan’s top-order batter Abdullah Shafique is set to feature in English county cricket after Yorkshire confirmed his signing as an overseas player for the ongoing season.

The 25-year-old will join the squad next week and is expected to be available for Yorkshire’s next two matches in the County Championship against Nottinghamshire and Surrey.

In addition to red-ball duties, Shafique will also be part of the Yorkshire squad for the remainder of the Vitality Blast group stage, featuring in the final four fixtures of the campaign.

The right-hander is coming off a strong Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 campaign, where he piled up 390 runs at an average of 32. He played a key hand in Lahore Qalandars’ title triumph, scoring a valuable 41 in the final.

“I’m immensely pleased to be afforded this opportunity with Yorkshire, and I’m eager to join up with the team ahead of a big game against Nottinghamshire,” said Abdullah Shafique.

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“Headingley is a venue I’ve always wanted to play at, and I’m excited to experience a Roses fixture, which I’ve already heard will have an incredible atmosphere.

“There is so much history at this club, and I hope I can contribute on the pitch at what is a very important period of the season.”

Yorkshire’s Men’s Head Coach Anthony McGrath welcomed the signing and praised the Pakistan international.

“Abdullah is another technically gifted, all-format player that we are delighted has signed with us,” McGrath said. “He has a tremendous skillset and has scored big runs at the highest level of the game.

“This is a really positive signing for us that will strengthen us greatly. We’re all looking forward to Abdullah joining up with the squad next week.”

READ: Former pacer questions Naseem Shah’s place in Pakistan white-ball team

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars top-order batter Abdullah Shafique shared his thoughts after a match-winning knock against Karachi Kings.

Set to chase a 191-run target, Lahore Qalandars comfortably knocked the winning runs with eight balls to spare. Player of the Match Abdullah Shafique starred with the bat, scoring 65 off 35 balls with the help of five sixes and three fours.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Abdullah expressed satisfaction over his recent performance and said he aims to contribute in ways that help the team win.

“First of all, I thank Allah for giving me the opportunity to perform well. “My focus is always on contributing in a way that benefits the team,” Abdullah Shafique told reporters.

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He added that adapting to modern-day cricket demands constant self-improvement while hailing the team’s clarity regarding playing roles.

“You have to train according to the requirements of modern cricket. But more than training, it’s about mindset. If the mindset is positive, results follow.”

“Every player knows his role and performs accordingly,” he explained.

Responding to a question about his batting position, he said: “I’ve played as an opener from the beginning of my career, but I always try to adapt based on the team’s needs.”

He also threw his support behind skipper Shaheen Afridi, expressing support for the fast bowler.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“Shaheen is our leader, and we are all standing firmly with him,” Abdullah Said

Looking ahead to the Eliminator against Islamabad United, Abdullah remained optimistic about his team’s chances of reaching the final, stressing the sloppy fielding.

“We are hopeful of putting in a strong performance and qualifying for the final. Catches do get dropped; it’s part of the game. I tried to make up for the fielding mistakes with my batting,” he concluded.

READ: Dominant Lahore Qalandars beat Karachi Kings in PSL 10 Eliminator

Pakistan’s top-order batter, Abdullah Shafique, is focused on making a strong comeback in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, starting on 29 March.

Speaking about his past performances, Shafique admitted that he has learned valuable lessons from previous matches.

“I didn’t perform well in some of my recent games, but I have taken a lot of lessons from those experiences,” he admitted.

On the ongoing debate about player specialization, Shafique stressed the importance of adaptability across formats.

“Tagging a player as a red-ball or white-ball specialist isn’t fair. A cricketer should be able to play all formats,” he stated.

Shafiq, who was out of sorts in the South Africa series, played at the end of last year, emphasized the challenges of playing in New Zealand conditions and expressed confidence in his preparation.

“New Zealand’s conditions have always been difficult for Pakistan. I will try my best to perform well and contribute to the team’s success,” Shafique said.

Reflecting on his return to the national squad, the right-hander credited domestic cricket for improving his game.

“Playing domestic matches has helped me a lot. I feel in good form and will look to capitalize on it in this series,” he added.

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Shafique also acknowledged Babar Azam’s recent praise and considered it an honor to receive encouragement from a top-class batter.

“Babar’s words mean a lot to me. I hope to live up to his expectations and perform to the best of my abilities,” he stated.

While discussing New Zealand’s squad, he stressed that they are a formidable opponent and should not be taken lightly.

“New Zealand is never an easy team to face. They have young and talented players, and we aim to put up a strong fight,” he said.

Addressing criticism, Shafique maintained that he tries to focus on his game and ignore unnecessary distractions.

“Criticism is part of cricket. It should be taken positively. A lot is said, but I prefer to focus on my performance,” he remarked.

The 25-year-old also backed injured batter Saim Ayub and wished him success.

“Saim is an excellent player and a great asset for Pakistan. I wish him the best of luck,” he said.

Lastly, he highlighted the growing importance of strike rate in modern-day cricket.

“In white-ball cricket, maintaining a good strike rate is crucial. It plays a big role in a team’s success,” he concluded.

READ: Pakistan team trained like Under-14 side, says Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan cricketer Sikandar Bakht did not mince his words while criticising opening batters Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub after they failed in the first ODI against Australia.

Abdullah (12) and Saim (1) returned to the pavilion inside seven overs with a meagre 24 runs on the board during Pakistan’s two-wicket loss against Australia in the series opener.

Sikandar Bakht, during an interview at a local news channel, labelled them as burdens on the team after repeated failures.

“Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub have become burdens on the squad,” Bakht said.

The former pacer also slammed Pakistan’s white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan and star batter Babar Azam for their lack of responsibility and inconsistency with the bat.

“Babar and Rizwan are currently the most senior players in the team, yet they never stand as a pillar for the team during tough times,” he added.

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Sikandar Bakht stressed that the only impact player in the team is explosive opening batter Fakhar Zaman, who was dropped from the squad for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.

“I’ve been saying it for a while—Pakistan had only one true match-winner in ODIs… Fakhar Zaman and he’s been dropped from the team,” Bakht said.

Notably, the second match of the series will be played on 8 November (tomorrow) in Adelaide, while Perth will host the third ODI on 10 November.

The ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Australia, scheduled to commence on November 14.

Brisbane will host the first T20I, with the next matches scheduled for November 16 and 18 in Sydney and Hobart, respectively.

READ: Legendary Australian captain urges Babar Azam to follow Virat Kohli’s footsteps

Pakistan’s opening batter Abdullah Shafique defended star batter Babar Azam, who got out after only one run in the first innings against Australia on the second day of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Wednesday.

Babar Azam was castled by Australian skipper Pat Cummins during the second Test after getting him out for 14 in the second innings of the first Test in Perth.

Babar Azam returned with scores of 21 and 14 during the Perth Test indicating his struggling form.

Abdullah Shafique however showed faith in Azam during the post-match press conference, hoping that he will certainly make a comeback.

“Babar Azam is our best batter, and the type of form we see him displaying in the nets indicates he is in a good rhythm,” said Abdullah Shafique.

“We expect to see him scoring runs. Of course, he didn’t perform in this innings, but hopefully, he’ll deliver and turn it around in the coming innings.”

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“Everyone is trying their best and putting in 100% effort. We are prepared on our end, but unfortunately, sometimes you don’t deliver on the day. It happens. Test cricket is not that easy,” he further added.

Shafique also heaps high praise on Pat Cummins, who led the bowling for Australia on the second day with bowling figures of 3-37.

“I think the type of bowler Pat Cummins is, he extracts something out of the pitch every time he bowls.”

Abdullah Shafique top scored for Pakistan during the first innings of the Boxing Day Test with a solid knock of 62 runs Australia made a comeback and reduced Pakistan to 194-6 at the stumps of the second day.

Pakistan will resume their innings on the third day with Mohammad Rizwan (29) and Aamir Jamal (2) on the crease, while Australia is leading by 124 runs.

READ: Australia in command as Pakistan lose six wickets on second day of Boxing Day Test

Top order batter Abdullah Shafique has hinted that the Pakistan team is planning to play modern cricket at the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in India, commencing on October 5.

While talking to the media, the 23-year-old batter expressed his jubilation over being selected in Pakistan’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023

“I am very happy to be selected in the World Cup squad,” said Abdullah Shafique.

He also shed light on Pakistan’s plan to play modern cricket for the World Cup in India.

“We will play according to plan in the World Cup,” said Abdullah Shafique. “We players and coaches are all ready to play the best modern cricket in the World Cup 2023,”

“As a professional, I am ready to play at any position according to the plan,” he further added.

Upon being asked about the match against India, Abdullah Shafique mentioned that the team is hoping to play good cricket against every team, including India.

“We are going to play the World Cup, and we aim to perform at our best against all teams including India,” he concluded.

Abdullah Shafique has represented Pakistan in four ODI matches so far, including Pakistan’s final Super 4 game against Sri Lanka, where he scored 52 runs off 69 deliveries.

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan

Pakistan’s warm-up matches schedule:

• September 29 — vs New Zealand in Hyderabad
• October 3 — vs Australia in Hyderabad

Pakistan’s schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:

• October 6 – vs Netherlands in Hyderabad
• October 10 – vs Sri Lanka in Hyderabad
• October 14 – vs India in Ahmedabad
• October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru
• October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai
• October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai
• October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
• November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

The day matches will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures, starting at 01:30 pm (PST).

READ: India women’s team strike cricket gold on debut at Asian Games 2023

SHARJAH: Pakistan’s young right-handed batter Abdullah Shafique had a sigh of relief as he broke the unwanted streak of ducks in T20Is.

Abdullah, who became the first player to bag four consecutive ducks in T20Is on Sunday, finally scored his first runs after four successive failures.

The right-handed batter pushed a tossed-up delivery by Mohammad Nabi to wide long-on to score a much-needed run and avoided another duck.

Notably, the right-handed batter had bagged the worst record in his brief five-match T20I career as he went out for a duck in four successive matches.

Abdullah, who scored 41 not out on his T20I debut against Zimbabwe, was yet to score a run since then as he bagged two ducks each against New Zealand and Afghanistan.

The young batting prodigy, however, came out roaring in the third and final T20I of the ongoing series as he scored a brisk 13-ball 23 before Rashid Khan castled him in the eighth over. He smashed a boundary and two sixes amid his brief knock.

It is pertinent to mention that Afghanistan held their nerves calm to edge Pakistan in the second T20I by seven wickets and wrapped up the series victory with a game to spare.

The ongoing T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan is the first-ever bilateral series between the two cricketing nations as they only faced each other in ICC events and Asia Cups before.

READ: Bangladesh beat Ireland by 22 runs after Taskin burst

KARACHI: Pakistan batting coach Mohammad Yousuf asserted opening batter Abdullah Shafique’s dismissal on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand was unlucky.

Yousuf, while talking to the media following the conclusion of the second day’s play responded to a question regarding opener Abdullah’s struggling patch and his dismissal by stating that the latter is trying hard to get away and going but he just got unlucky in the process.

“He scored a century in the first Test against England and has been struggling since then and I think the field is like an examination hall for a player. So, if a player is struggling then it is difficult to interfere in the technical elements involved,” stated Yousuf.

“But, some of the tuning and conversation get going with him and he himself is trying hard in this regard so, obviously if any player experience such situations as we did in our time when four-five innings go bad then it feels even harder for the batter.

“But, he still keeps doing something for it. So, in my opinion, it is even more inappropriate to disturb him during the strive. Since it is hard for a batter to get over his struggling patch after four-five bad innings yet it is not impossible.

“I even think he got unlucky this time as the ball bounced a little too much and came slow and produced a top edge.”

Yousuf then denied the speculations regarding Shan Masood and Abdullah being given instructions to play a bit more aggressively and made clear that the management always backs players to play their natural games.

“It’s their own game. There is no such instruction from management or the captain. It has always been our stance to let players their natural game according to their strengths,” said Yousuf.

The batting coach then lamented the absence of clay soil in the country to make more lively and result-generating wickets, while also credited New Zealand tailenders Ajaz Patel and Matt Henry for their astounding 10th-wicket partnership.

It is worth mentioning here that New Zealand pushed Pakistan to the backfoot by dismantling the hosts’ top order after posting a mammoth 449 runs in the first innings of the ongoing second Test.

Left-handed batters Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel, however, launched a counter-attack as they raised a 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket before stumps.

Imam (74*) and Saud (13*) will now resume Pakistan’s first innings at 154/3 as they are still 295 runs behind.

READ: Imam, Saud hang on after Pakistan’s jittery start on Day 2