Aamer Yamin: “He is the best choice for One Day and Tests”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan all-rounder Aamer Yamin believes opening batsman Abdullah Shafique is still the “best choice” for ODIs and Tests even though his form has dipped lately.
Shafique recently played in Pakistan’s limited overs series against Australia and scored 113 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 64 not out, at an average of 56.50.
He then travelled to Zimbabwe with the men in green and amassed 83 runs in three ODIs, which included a top score of 50, at an average of 41.50.
It was during the ODI series against South Africa that things went horribly wrong for the 25-year-old as he was dismissed for a duck in all three matches.
As for the ongoing two-Test series, Shafique wasn’t selected in the playing XI for both matches.
Despite the torrid time Shafique has endured on the tour of South Africa, Aamer threw his support behind the Sialkot native and doesn’t want to see him dropped.
“He is the best choice for One Day and Tests,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan lost the 1st Test against South Africa in Centurion by two wickets and are looking to bounce back in the ongoing 2nd Test, which started on January 3 in Cape Town.
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