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Saud Shakeel to play for Yorkshire in the 2023 County Championship

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Yorkshire have signed Saud Shakeel for the early part of the County Championship season after New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner, was ruled out through injury.

==

The 27-year-old, who made his Test debut last winter against England and New Zealand, had a stunning start to his international career by scoring 50s in each of his first five appearances and averaging 72.5 in the process.

Saud might make his debut for Yorkshire in their first Division Two fixture against Leicestershire at Headingley on Thursday. However, the player's availability is contingent on the processing of his visa, which may cause some delay.

Yorkshire's top six will be bolstered by the inclusion of Saud, who brings additional strength to the team. However, there is a chance that the new club captain and Pakistan cricketer, Shan Masood, may not be available for the initial rounds of the Championship action.

Shan was a non-playing member of the Pakistan T20I squad that recently lost 2-1 to Afghanistan in Sharjah. He is also in contention for selection in Pakistan's upcoming five-match home series against New Zealand in T20 and one-day internationals from April 14.

If Masood is not chosen for national duty, he will join the team in time for their first season outside of the top flight since 2012.

Interestingly, Yorkshire has opted to replace the departing Neil Wagner with a batter rather than a like-for-like replacement due to the early season availability of their other seamers.
 
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Should be good experience for him and hopefully can do well enough to interest Yorkshire to retain him for future.
 
Good opportunity for him.

Tough test in the early part of the season in England.
 
Oh wow. His technique against lateral movement will be thoroughly tested unless we get another unseasonally warm spring like last year when batsmen filled their boots.
 
Brill, lets hope he scores tons of runs. It could make him into a World class player, or it could knock his confidence. Great chance to develop
 
Really like what I saw of this guy. Wonder why hasn’t played more frequently for Pak
 
This should help his game develop more, also with him playing Div 2 he should be aiming for lots of runs.
 
Yorkshire are really trying their best to hire Asian cricketers to show they are not racist and trying to win over local Pakistani fans.

However many of the locals will never support Yorkshire or get behind the club.
 
Yorks Head Coach Otis Gibson on Saud Visa situation:

"We've had discussions with Saud Shakeel, but the reality is that when it comes to Pakistani players getting visas it takes longer than normal, and he's been trying for about two weeks now to get a visa and nothing's happened with that,"
 
He's still waiting for his Visa.

No sign of it yet and in the meantime Yorkshire have signed Shai Hope.
 
He's still waiting for his Visa.

No sign of it yet and in the meantime Yorkshire have signed Shai Hope.

Looks like Visa issue is resolved

==

Saud Shakeel set to shine for Yorkshire CCC

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce the signing of Pakistan Test batting star Saud Shakeel on a short-term overseas contract.

Shakeel, 27, will be available for selection for the second LV= Insurance County Championship game against Gloucestershire at Bristol next week and will be one of the Club’s overseas players, joining Shai Hope in the squad.

Shakeel will be available for an initial four-game spell in Division Two, though there is scope for an extension to his stay at Headingley.

The talented left-handed Pakistan batter made his Test debut last winter against England and New Zealand, had a stunning start to his international career by scoring 50s in each of his first five appearances and averaging 72.5 in the process.

Darren Gough, Managing Director of Cricket for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said: “Saud is a very talented young player, he will be a wonderful addition to our current squad.

“He did well against England and New Zealand – and here at Yorkshire we want to get the balance right between youth and experience and we now feel we have got a squad where we have plenty of opportunities for everyone.

“We don’t want to be in a position like last year where we had to rely purely on youth at times – you need that balance in the line-up.”

Shakeel will help bolster the Yorkshire squad following an injury to overseas player Neil Wagner, from New Zealand, and the unavailability of new captain Shan Masood for the initial rounds of the Championship after being selected in Pakistan’s upcoming home series against New Zealand.

Gough added: “We see this as a great signing.

“Saud is coming over here looking to put his name in lights. He has already played for Pakistan – he’ll be in their Test squad in July most likely.

“He is coming here to develop his game and it’s great for us to have someone else of international experience coming into the Yorkshire dressing room.”

Karachi-born Shakeel has played five Tests and as many ODIs.

He has scored 4,773 runs in 62 first-class career matches to date, including 16 hundreds. He averages an eye-catching 54.23.
 
Fisher isn’t the only Test player to join Yorkshire’s squad this week. In-form Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel is the other.

Shakeel has arrived on a short-term overseas deal and will line-up alongside West Indian Shai Hope.

The 27-year-old has made a dream start to life in Test cricket, scoring 580 runs in five matches, including five fifties and a century. The middle order left-hander has reached 50 in every Test he has played and has arrived at Headingley in part on the recommendation of new club captain Shan Masood, who remains unavailable because of international commitments.

“Saud’s a fantastic player,” said Gibson.

“What he brings immediately is a selection dilemma because somebody needs to miss out. He will bring us that international experience and hopefully lots and lots of runs over the next few weeks.

“He bats long and is a patient. When I’ve spoken to Shan about him, he says he’s a very good player – technically very sound.”

https://yorkshireccc.com/news/preview-yorkshire-vs-gloucestershire-seat-unique-stadium/
 
Great opportunity for him and Haider to play some red ball county cricket in tough conditions.

These sorts of chances don't come around too often and these young Pakistani batters need to make the most of this.
 
Hopefully we see him in action soon - if play does start!
 
Saud making his debut in Round 3 of the County Championship

dbd06129-5773-441b-8a0d-b49de59df450.jpg41e3793f-1072-4d70-aae0-92cd41e0a53f.jpg
 
Poor start for him.

Out for just 3 runs today against Sussex.
 
Oh dear...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top of off. &#55356;&#57263; <a href="https://t.co/FJ4PzNxcZU">pic.twitter.com/FJ4PzNxcZU</a></p>— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SussexCCC/status/1649439256534822914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Oh dear...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top of off. �� <a href="https://t.co/FJ4PzNxcZU">pic.twitter.com/FJ4PzNxcZU</a></p>— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SussexCCC/status/1649439256534822914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Decent ball, but what was he doing.

You've got to know where your off stump is as a top order batter.
 
If Saud comes out of this county season with a good run of scores, it will do a world of good for him but failure in these conditions should not be held against him as well.
 
Scores of 3 and 6 in his debut match

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yorkshire two down. &#55357;&#56908; <a href="https://t.co/ExV05o9p51">pic.twitter.com/ExV05o9p51</a></p>— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SussexCCC/status/1649804238300561409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Scores of 3 and 6 in his debut match

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yorkshire two down. �� <a href="https://t.co/ExV05o9p51">pic.twitter.com/ExV05o9p51</a></p>— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SussexCCC/status/1649804238300561409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's an embarrasing shot.

Really poor match for Saud.
 
Would it not be better if Saud played in the Second XI games to get his confidence back? ideal opportunity midweek.
 
Improved performance, given his previous scores - out for 19 vs Glamorgan

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55349;&#56807;&#55349;&#56795;&#55349;&#56805;&#55349;&#56792;&#55349;&#56792; &#55349;&#56791;&#55349;&#56802;&#55349;&#56810;&#55349;&#56801;<br><br>Neser has his first as he traps Shakeel lbw for 19 &#55357;&#56613;<a href="https://twitter.com/YorkshireCCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YorkshireCCC</a> 51/3<br><br>&#55349;&#56810;&#55349;&#56814;&#55349;&#56833;&#55349;&#56816;&#55349;&#56821; &#55349;&#56825;&#55349;&#56822;&#55349;&#56835;&#55349;&#56818; &#55357;&#56393;<a href="https://t.co/ShvTxJRv1s">https://t.co/ShvTxJRv1s</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoGlam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoGlam</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YORvGLAM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YORvGLAM</a> <a href="https://t.co/gzEkjIX0ZP">pic.twitter.com/gzEkjIX0ZP</a></p>— Glamorgan Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@GlamCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/GlamCricket/status/1654176157065936897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Another horrible dismissal.

To say he's struggling is a huge understatement.
 
Yorks heading for defeat - Saud (35) needed to stay on

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55349;&#56807;&#55349;&#56795;&#55349;&#56788;&#55349;&#56807;'&#55349;&#56806; &#55349;&#56806;&#55349;&#56792;&#55349;&#56809;&#55349;&#56792;&#55349;&#56801;!<br><br>GET IN! The last recognised batter goes and Harris has his second &#55357;&#56490;&#55357;&#56490;&#55357;&#56490;<a href="https://twitter.com/YorkshireCCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YorkshireCCC</a> 377/7 with 9 overs to go!<br><br>&#55349;&#56810;&#55349;&#56814;&#55349;&#56833;&#55349;&#56816;&#55349;&#56821; &#55349;&#56825;&#55349;&#56822;&#55349;&#56835;&#55349;&#56818; &#55357;&#56393;<a href="https://t.co/ShvTxJRv1s">https://t.co/ShvTxJRv1s</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoGlam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoGlam</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YORvGLAM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YORvGLAM</a> <a href="https://t.co/GpBBVGvRM6">pic.twitter.com/GpBBVGvRM6</a></p>— Glamorgan Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@GlamCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/GlamCricket/status/1655258442385195008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Saud given a chance again by Yorks with Shan back...
 
Malan and Bairstow batting after Masood and Shakeel

I would really be peeved as a Yorkshire fan. Also Bairstow playing under Masood’s captaincy is not right.
 
Update:

It looks as if Shakeel has suffered the injury whilst completing a run or turning to think about a second. We have since moved to 28-1 in the 14th over.

==

Saud 8* retired hurt
 
Malan and Bairstow batting after Masood and Shakeel

I would really be peeved as a Yorkshire fan. Also Bairstow playing under Masood’s captaincy is not right.

Why would you be peeved?

They are both likely to miss most of the games in the season because of England duty,

It's very rare now for a centrally contracted england player to get the county captaincy.
 
Injured today.

He's having a nightmare stint at Yorkshire.
 
Injured today.

He's having a nightmare stint at Yorkshire.

Came back to bat but did not add to his score

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Three wickets lost for 0 runs and Yorkshire are 8 down.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheNorth?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheNorth</a> <a href="https://t.co/MKPuiKFBmw">pic.twitter.com/MKPuiKFBmw</a></p>— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/DurhamCricket/status/1656690108580483073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
71 runs in 5 innings

Average of 14.20

Really bad numbers.
 
Shakeel returned to the crease with Lyth as his runner, and having earlier been struck down with his ankle injury he was in the wars again when struck on the helmet by a Potts bouncer.

GettyImages-1489129070-550x362.jpg.webp


The skipper (Shan) also gave an update on injured compatriot Saud Shakeel. “He’s had a rough day,” he added.

“We have to try him out for two things – one that his ankle’s fine and two he doesn’t have a concussion that can happen overnight.”
 
71 runs in 5 innings

Average of 14.20

Really bad numbers.
This has actually restored my faith in county cricket.

Every Tom Dick & Harry should not be performing in county cricket.
 
When your intent is to defend everything you will end up getting stuck in these conditions.
 
I was speaking to a friend who watches Yorkshire and he said that Saud has looked really nervous and out of touch.

He put it down to the lack of cricket ahead of the County stint and he said his footwork has been unsure and his whole approach has been very defensive.
 
Shame, I like Saud a lot and wanted him to do well in this stint. Pakistan already play so few Tests, and he's not getting a white ball game any time soon.
 
One has to be a modern day multiformat player to be successful, can't be just a test player , not going to get enough games .
 
Chose the wrong county tough to bat up north in cloudy conditions in April/May.

Even the great Inzy struggled for Yorkshire.
 
I was speaking to a friend who watches Yorkshire and he said that Saud has looked really nervous and out of touch.

He put it down to the lack of cricket ahead of the County stint and he said his footwork has been unsure and his whole approach has been very defensive.

Saud has told Saj that he has twisted his ankle but nothing major.
 
Hope Saud gets to play the entire season and can work on any technical issues while out there.

The downside of debuting rising talent in the late 20s rather than early 20s is that they’ve gone longer without exposure to overseas conditions and any technical issues against the moving or bouncing ball are more entrenched.
 
Horrible numbers in County but maybe it helped him in the long run as he was dominant vs Sri Lanka!
 
Horrible numbers in County but maybe it helped him in the long run as he was dominant vs Sri Lanka!

He’s a good batsman.
To be fair, Yorkshire is a difficult place to play at the moment. They’re trying to create some sort of on-pitch momentum after their reputation was severely damaged off it. Considering their history as a county and their success, this leads to a lot of additional expectations and pressure which wouldn’t be present at many of the other counties.
 
So basically he's a flat track bully, and can only play on wickets where the bounce is barely over the knee roll

I wouldn't really invest in players like this and shan masood for long term.

Both are worse than journrymen shafiq and azhar ali and even them 2 were average and not match winners.
 
So basically he's a flat track bully, and can only play on wickets where the bounce is barely over the knee roll

I wouldn't really invest in players like this and shan masood for long term.

Both are worse than journrymen shafiq and azhar ali and even them 2 were average and not match winners.

Shan did well in England this year, I think.
 
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