Shaheen Shah Afridi: “There are a lot of expectations from Abdullah Shafique, and I believe he will break many records”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has predicted that opening batsman Abdullah Shafique “will break many records” during his career.
Shafique enjoyed a strong start to international cricket and has stamped his authority in both Tests and ODIs, where he averages 40.35 and 34.66 respectively.
However, his form has started to dip in the past couple of months, which is a worrying sign for the men in green.
In the recent two-Test series against Bangladesh, the 24-year-old mustered 42 runs at an average of 10.50.
Afridi acknowledged that “there are a lot of expectations” from Shafique, but backed the talented youngster to live up to the hype and achieve great things in the future.
“There are a lot of expectations from Abdullah Shafique, and I believe he will break many records,” he was quoted as saying by Samaa TV.
Shafique is now involved in the Champions One-Day Cup, which is a domestic 50-over competition being played in Faisalabad.
In the four matches he has played for the Lions, the Sialkot native has amassed 89 runs, which includes a top score of 52, at an average of 22.25.
The Pakistan team will be back in action next month when they take on England in a three-Test series from October 7 to 28 in Multan and Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Squad for 1st Test against England: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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