Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique: “A sportsman has to face challenges and go through failure. I’m thankful to the team management and the captain for trusting me and giving me a fair run”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan opening batsman Abdullah Shafique expressed his gratitude at having gotten a “fair run” in the Test team.
Shafique kicked off his Test career with a bang, but lately, he has struggled to score runs consistently.
Despite this, he has managed to keep hold of his place in the side and is thankful that Test captain Shan Masood and the team management continue to have faith in him.
“A sportsman has to face challenges and go through failure. I’m thankful to the team management and the captain for trusting me and giving me a fair run. You face a lot of mental challenges and lots of doubts, but you have to overcome it all and perform,” the 24-year-old from Sialkot was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“How well you take your opportunity is what matters. It’s not just the batter but the whole team which is confident when you do well.”
Shafique made 42 runs at an average of 10.50 in Pakistan’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, which they lost 2-0.
He then featured for the Lions in the Champions One-Day Cup, which was a domestic 50-over competition that took place in Faisalabad.
In four matches, he accumulated 89 runs, which included a top score of 52, at an average of 22.25.
Shafique was then involved in Pakistan’s three-Test series against England and scored 132 runs, which included a top score of 102, at an average of 26.40.
The men in green ended up claiming a 2-1 win, which gave them their first Test series victory at home since 2021.
Pakistan Squad for 2nd and 3rd Tests against England: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Zahid Mahmood.
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