Tag: Saud Shakeel

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel has clarified remarks he made about Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf during a recent podcast.

A few weeks earlier, Saud appeared on a podcast in which he was asked which of three bowlers — Khurram Shehzad, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf—he would play, retire, or bench if he were the national selector.

“I will play Khurram, retire Shaheen, and bench Rauf,” Pakistan Test vice-captain had replied.

The remarks soon gained traction, with people sharing different opinions about the duo.

Ahead of PSL 11’s start, Saud said his comments were made in a light-hearted manner and were not intended seriously.

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“The podcast was done in a funny way, but it was presented as something serious,” he said.

Saud has played alongside both pacers. The two have recently been in the spotlight following inconsistent performances: Rauf was dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while Shaheen had a below-par campaign.

Saud has played alongside Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. Both pacers have been in the spotlight following inconsistent performances. Rauf was dropped from the Pakistan squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while Shaheen had an underwhelming campaign.

This will be the second year in a row that Saud will lead the Quetta Gladiators side.

Last season, Quetta Gladiators were outplayed in the final by Lahore Qalandars, thanks to Sikandar Raza’s heroics.

The PSL 11 will begin on March 26 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.  Quetta Gladiators will open their campaign against Karachi Kings on March 27 at the same venue.

READ: Five uncapped Pakistan players to watch out for in PSL 11

Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel has set his sights firmly on securing a place in Pakistan’s ODI World Cup 2027 squad, stating that the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 presents a crucial opportunity to impress selectors.

Shakeel has been a mainstay in Pakistan’s Test team; however, he failed to cement a regular place in the ODI format.

He has represented Pakistan in 19 ODI games since his debut in 2021, featuring in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

He has been out of the ODI team since the Champions Trophy match against arch-rivals India in February 2025.

Speaking ahead of the PSL 11, the left-handed batter made it clear that his performances in the league could play a defining role in shaping his international future.

“This season is very important for me. The ODI World Cup is coming up [next year], and I will aim to perform well to get the selectors’ attention,” Shakeel said.

Quetta Gladiators, who finished as runners-up in the previous edition after losing the final to Lahore Qalandars, will begin their campaign against Karachi Kings on March 27 in Lahore.

Under Shakeel’s leadership, the franchise will be looking to build on last season’s momentum while navigating a more competitive format.

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“We had a good performance in the last edition, but now we are starting afresh. Our effort will be to once again play a good brand of cricket,” he said.

Notably, preparations for the marquee event have taken a significant turn, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revising its initial plans.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, on Sunday, confirmed that the tournament will now be held across just two venues, Karachi and Lahore, and will be played behind closed doors without spectators.

Despite the absence of crowds, Shakeel remains optimistic about maintaining intensity and delivering quality cricket.

“Our passion and energy come from the fans. Unfortunately, they won’t be able to attend, but we would request them to watch from home and support us,” he said.

The upcoming edition marks a significant shift in the league’s structure, with eight teams participating for the first time, including debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz.

“Our aim will be to play a strong brand of cricket again. The competition will be tougher this time with more teams, but we are ready for the challenge,” he added.

With a relatively new pace attack in place, the Gladiators’ skipper also emphasised the importance of finding the right combination early in the tournament.

Quetta Gladiators will begin their PSL 11 campaign against Karachi Kings on March 27 in Lahore, as they aim to go one step further this time and clinch the title.

Quetta Gladiators squad for PSL 11

Saud Shakeel (c), Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, Shamyl Hussain, Alzarri Joseph, Rilee Rossouw, Ahmed Daniyal, Jahanzaib Sultan, Jahandad Khan, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Wasim Akram Jnr, Khan Zeb, Bismillah Khan, Saqib Khan, Brett Hampton, Sam Harper, Bevon Jacobs, Abrar Ahmed, Ben McDermott and Tom Curran.

READ: T20 World Cup 2026 smashed viewing figures: ICC

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Test team vice-captain Saud Shakeel has heaped praise on debutant Asif Afridi, who struck twice in the final session to halt South Africa’s progress in the second Test.

Speaking at the end of the day’s play, Saud said that they are a bit concerned about losing wickets in heave.

Pakistan were cruising on day two morning just like Lahore Test; however, once Salman Ali Agha fell, the home side lost their way and slumped from 316-6 to 333 all out.

Saud made 66 from 147 balls, striking four boundaries, which lifted Pakistan out of trouble.

“Wickets in quick succession are a concern, and we will try to work on it,” he told reporters in the post-day press conference.

Saud praised 38-year-old debutant Asif Afridi and highlighted his bowling spell, which put Pakistan on top at Stumps.

South Africa were afloat with a 113-run stand between Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs. However, Asif took two quick wickets in the final session, which gave the home side an edge at Stumps.

“I’m really happy for Asif bhai. His debut came quite late, but it’s well-deserved. I’ve faced him several times in domestic cricket and always found him difficult to handle.

He’s very experienced, and you could see that in his spell today — giving away only 19 runs in 10 overs while maintaining great control,” he continued.

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He also mentioned Pakistan’s plan to go with three spinners and emphasized Noman Ali’s bowling.

“I don’t think playing three spinners is a problem. Nauman bhai usually bowls long spells, but even he can get tired. Asif gave us two crucial breakthroughs late in the day, so it’s working well. The match is evenly poised, and tomorrow’s first session will be very important,” he explained.

Looking ahead to the next day, Saud stressed the importance of an early strike in the morning session, which could turn the match on its head.

“The plan is simple — to get them out as early as possible. The first half hour will be crucial. If we manage early breakthroughs, we’ll be right on top of the game.”

“It’s a good pitch — both fast bowlers and spinners are in play. Batters who take their time can also score runs. This is the kind of pitch Test cricket needs,” he concluded.

READ: West Indies create ODI history with all-spin attack

KENT: Skipper Saud Shakeel and Haider Ali struck half-centuries to guide Pakistan Shaheens to a five-wicket win on the DLS method over the Professional County Club Select XI here on Tuesday.

In the rain-affected match at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham, which was reduced to 28 overs per side, Shaheens were handed a revised target of 204.

During the run chase, both Shaheens openers, Ali Zaryab (8) and Azan Awais (8) were dismissed in the fourth over.

Omair Bin Yousuf, coming in at number three, was also dismissed early, scoring just two off four balls, leaving Shaheens struggling at 32 for three in 5.1 overs.

At that critical juncture, captain Saud Shakeel was joined by Haider Ali and the pair took control of the innings.

They played with authority and put together a match-defining 129-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Haider struck five fours and three sixes in his 56-ball 71.

After Haider’s dismissal in the 24th over, with Pakistan Shaheens still requiring 43 runs for victory, Maaz Sadaqat joined the captain at the crease.

However, Maaz was dismissed after scoring five off eight balls, with the visitors still needing 30 from the final 15 deliveries.

At that stage, Shahid Aziz joined Saud and the duo kept their nerves, guiding the side home on the penultimate delivery of the match.

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Shahid remained unbeaten on 21 off 11 balls, hitting a four and a six, while captain Saud’s unbeaten knock of 72 came off 72 balls and included four boundaries.

For the Professional County Club Select XI, Tom Lawes was the most successful bowler, claiming two wickets for 38 runs.

Earlier, after electing to bat first, Professional County Club Select XI were bowled out for 187 in 27.4 overs.

Opening batter Will Smeed was the top scorer with a 62-ball 84, which included 10 fours and two sixes.

Hamza Shaikh also made a notable contribution, scoring 44 off 51 balls with six boundaries.

For Shaheens, Maaz Sadaqat was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 3 for 28.

Saud Shakeel and Faisal Akram supported well with their left-arm spin, picking up two wickets apiece.

Pakistan Shaheens and Professional County Club Select XI will now feature in the second one-day match of the three-match series at the same venue on Friday, with the first ball to be bowled at 3pm PKT.

READ: Former Pakistan pacer blasts Mike Hesson after series loss to Bangladesh

BECKENHAM: Pakistan Shaheens captain Saud Shakeel has expressed strong confidence in his side’s preparations on the eve of commencement of their multi-format tour of England, scheduled to get underway tomorrow.

While speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) digital platform, Saud Shakeel mentioned the players’ progress and England’s condition.s

“It takes a couple of days to get used to the conditions of England because the ball tends to move here early on. Regardless of the opportunities we had to prepare, we are progressing well. Since we will start the tour with one-day matches, we started training with the white ball,” he said.

“There were some weather hindrances; it rained a couple of days, but whatever opportunities we got, we utilised them well,” he added.

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The Southpaw emphasized Pakistan Shaheens’ bench strength, deeming it crucial for youngsters, while lauding the bench strength of the opposing team.

“They have quite a good bench strength as well. They pick players whom they are looking at for the England team, and our situation is also the same. So, I think it will be a good series,” Shakeel explained.

“We have very talented youngsters, and they all have the opportunity to perform well here and attract the selectors. Performing on such tours gives a different kind of confidence, and after that is international cricket. So, it is a good sign and more such tours should be organised,” Saud Shakeel concluded.

For the unversed, Pakistan Shaheens will kick off their tour of England with a three-match one-day series against Professional County Club Select XI, scheduled to run from July 22 to 27.

Pakistan Shaheens Squad:

Saud Shakeel (c), Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Suleman, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Shahid Aziz, Shamyl Hussain, and Ubaid Shah

READ: Veteran spinner returns as England reveal playing XI for fourth Test against India

DUBAI: Pakistan’s middle-order batter Saud Shakeel made a small but significant gain in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings released on Wednesday, while all-rounder Agha Salman suffered a steep decline.

Shakeel moved up to No. 12 in the batting rankings after England’s Ben Duckett slipped three places.

The shuffle also saw Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell gain ground, rising to 13th and 14th respectively.

Among the mainstays, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam held on to 21st and 23rd positions, respectively.

Test captain Shan Masood remained unmoved at 48th, while Abdullah Shafique inched up one place to 51st. Kamran Ghulam continues to occupy the 76th position.

Salman Ali Agha slipped three places to the 37th spot in the ICC Test batting rankings. This drop is attributed to significant advances made by other players.

Australia’s Cameron Green jumped 16 spots to reach 30th place, while India’s Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul each moved up five places to 34th and 35th, respectively.

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At the top, England’s Joe Root reclaimed the No. 1 Test batter ranking, dethroning teammate Harry Brook, who dropped to third. New Zealand’s Kane Williamson moved back into second.

In the bowling department, Noman Ali remained Pakistan’s highest-ranked bowler at fifth with 806 points.

Sajid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi both slipped one place each, now ranked 20th and 21st, respectively. Mohammad Abbas (27th), Naseem Shah (35th), and Abrar Ahmed (50th) retained their positions.

India’s Jasprit Bumrah continues to top the bowling rankings, followed by Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins.

In the all-rounders’ list, Noman Ali dropped two spots to 22nd, Sajid Khan moved down to 31st, and Salman Ali Agha held 33rd position.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja continues to dominate the Test all-rounders’ rankings, with Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz in second and South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder in third.

READ: LA 2028: ICC finalizes dates for Olympic cricket event

DUBAI: Pakistan players have declined in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings as the cricket governing body released updated positions on Wednesday.

The national players’ fall in rankings was due to a lack of red-ball fixtures this year, as Pakistan is scheduled to play only a Test series against South Africa. The series will mark the beginning of Pakistan’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign.

Among the players, Pakistan Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel slipped out of the top 10 batters’ rankings,  moving to 11th position with 739 rating points.

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The wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan is now in 19th place after falling three places. Meanwhile, Babar Azam has retained his spot, holding firm in 22nd position with 651 points.

India’s Rishabh Pant, who scored centuries in each innings of the Headingley Test against England, rose one spot to claim sixth place.

Joe Root still holds the number one spot in Test cricket, followed by his compatriot Harry Brook and New Zealand’s stalwart Kane Williamson.

In the ICC Test rankings of bowlers, Noman Ali, Pakistan’s sole representative among the top 10 bowlers, slipped to fifth place. Right-arm leg spinner Abrar Ahmed has slipped one spot to 48th place, while pacer Khurram Shahzad has dropped two spots to 62nd, and all-rounder Aamer Jamal is now positioned at 70th.

India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remained at the top of the bowling charts, followed by South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Australia’s Pat Cummins.

READ: Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal maintains top spot in ICC Women’s T20I rankings

DUBAI: Pakistan’s leading batters Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam faced minor setbacks in the latest ICC Test rankings, released on Wednesday, while England’s Joe Root continued to dominate the batting charts.

Root retained his position as the No.1 Test batter in the world, with teammate Harry Brook holding on to second place after scoring 99 and a duck in the Headingley Test against India.

Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel dropped two spots to 10th with 739 rating points. He remains the only Pakistani batter in the top 10.

Mohammad Rizwan, meanwhile, maintained his 16th position, while Babar Azam slipped one place to 22nd with 651 points.

India’s Rishabh Pant, who scored centuries in each innings of the Headingley Test against England, rose one spot to claim seventh place.

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Meanwhile, England’s star batter Ben Duckett made the biggest leap, climbing five places to eighth after his match-winning 149 in England’s record chase of 371 runs.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s Nauman Ali retained his fourth-place position, continuing as the country’s sole representative among the top 10 bowlers in the ICC Test Rankings.

India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remained at the top of the bowling charts, followed by South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Australia’s Pat Cummins.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja, however, fell three places to 13th following a subdued outing in the Headingley Test.

READ: FIH invites Pakistan to Hockey Pro League after New Zealand pullout: reports

Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel has expressed his support for two of Pakistan’s brightest young batting talents, Hassan Nawaz and Khawaja Nafay, predicting their potential to become stars in international cricket.

Speaking ahead of Gladiators’ much-anticipated PSL 10 Qualifier against title-holders Islamabad United, Saud didn’t hold back in his admiration for the duo, calling them “encouraging signs for Pakistan cricket.”

“Hassan Nawaz played all kinds of shots and was instrumental in our victories,” Saud said.

“Performances from players like Hassan and Nafay give you hope. They’re not just here to fill spots — they’re genuine contenders for the Pakistan team.”

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Hassan, in particular, has been one of the breakout stars of the season.

The 22-year-old power-hitter currently sits fifth on the tournament’s top scorers list, having piled up 317 runs in 10 matches at a blistering average of 63.40 and a strike rate touching 160.

His tally includes two fifties and a stunning century, highlighting both flair and consistency.

Reflecting on the Gladiators’ journey to the playoffs, Saud Shakeel credited Hassan’s impact at key moments and revealed the early challenges around his batting position.

“We didn’t start the tournament well, but we turned things around with the bat,” he added.

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“When Hassan was picked, there was always confidence in his talent, though early on, we hadn’t finalised his batting order. Whatever praise he gets, it’s still not enough.”

On Khawaja Nafay, who has quietly chipped in with crucial innings when called upon, Saud said, “Nafay grabbed his opportunity well. These performances will only boost his confidence going forward.”

Despite topping the league stage with seven wins and just two losses, Saud remained grounded, saying there’s still room for refinement.

“There is always room for improvement in every department,” he admitted. “We played the whole tournament with Finn Allen. The final XI for the Qualifier hasn’t been discussed yet, we’ll take a call based on the conditions.”

READ: Key players miss out as Pakistan unveil squad for Bangladesh T20Is

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel is ready to take on defending champions Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 Qualifier as his team looks to capitalize on strong league stage performances.

Quetta Gladiators will face Islamabad United on Wednesday here at the Gaddafi Stadium in Qualifier 1.

The 2018 champions topped the points chart in PSL 10, with seven wins out of 10 games, including a washout.

While speaking to the media ahead of the high-stakes encounter, Saud emphasized Quetta Gladiators’ performance, aiming to carry on the winning momentum

“We performed well throughout the tournament and would look to carry that momentum forward. Overall, we’ve played some good cricket in the tournament. If you finish at the top of the table in the league stage, it means you’ve played well,” he said.

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Saud Shakeel stated that the team’s full focus was now on the upcoming Qualifier.

“We’re aiming to maintain that consistency in the Qualifier. Right now, all our attention is on that match. The goal is to win the Qualifier and book a spot in the final.”

The top-order batter also emphasized the importance of minimizing mistakes in the knockout phase.

“There’s always room for improvement in every department. When you’re in the knockout stage, the key is to make as few mistakes as possible,” he said while addressing the question regarding the Gladiators’ improvement in three aspects of the game.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Saud Shakeel hailed Hasan Nawaz and Khawaja Nafey, noting that there performances are encouraging sign for Pakistan cricket.

“Hassan Nawaz played all kinds of shots and was instrumental in our victories,” Saud said.

“The performances of players like Hassan Nawaz and Khawaja Nafay are very encouraging signs for Pakistan cricket. Both are talented players who have the potential to represent Pakistan at the international level in the near future,” Saud Shakeel concluded.

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