Sohaib Maqsood: “Imam-ul-Haq over Abdullah Shafique any day in ODIs”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Sohaib Maqsood said he would pick opener Imam-ul-Haq over Abdullah Shafique “any day in ODIs”.
Imam used to be one of Pakistan’s go-to opening batsmen in the 50-over format and has a stellar record, having amassed 3,138 runs in 72 ODIs, which includes nine centuries and 20 fifties, at an average of 48.27.
Shafique, meanwhile, has scored 612 runs in 20 ODIs, which includes a hundred and six half-centuries, at an average of 34.
Maqsood admitted it is baffling why Shafique is being favoured over Imam at the moment, especially since the latter has performed consistently.
“Imam-ul-Haq over Abdullah Shafique any day in ODIs,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Imam last played ODI cricket in October 2023, while Shafique has been part of Pakistan’s recent series against Australia and Zimbabwe.
Against Australia, he made 113 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 64 not out, at an average of 56.50.
He continued his good run of form in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, accumulating 83 runs, which included a top score of 50, at an average of 41.50.
Pakistan are now taking on South Africa and in the ongoing ODI series, but the 25-year-old from Sialkot hasn’t been anywhere near his best as he was dismissed for a duck in the first two matches.
The men in green hold a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd ODI, which will be held on December 22 in Johannesburg.
Once the ODIs are finished, Pakistan and South Africa will play two Tests, with the first match beginning on December 26 in Centurion.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha
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