The Talent Spotter : Saud Shakeel

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Saud Shakeel is a promising young talent from Karachi who bats left-handed and is also a part-time slow bowler as well. He has been a regular member of the Pakistan U19 squad in recent times. At 18 years of age, Saud has already been making headlines from the time he played in the Inter-region U19 leagues where he captained Karachi Whites and up to representing Pakistan in the U19 World Cup in February/March of 2014. In an exclusive interview with PakPassion, Saud spoke about what inspired him to take up cricket, Pakistan U19s disappointing display in the U19 World Cup final and his hopes of joining the senior team in the near future.

PakPassion: How did you get into cricket?

Saud Shakeel: I used to watch cricket on television with great interest when I was young. I had a craze for cricket and always wanted to become a cricketer when I grew up. I also used to copy the style of cricketers by watching them. My craze for cricket has brought me here.


PakPassion: Who were your role models when you were growing up?


Saud Shakeel: I was a cricket fan and liked every cricketer who played good cricket. But if I have to name one, I'd go with Mike Hussey. He was a brilliant stroke maker and used to time the ball so well that he was a treat to watch. You could watch him bat all day. In Pakistan, I really admired Saeed Anwar a lot. I liked his style of batting very much. He was an elegant player.


PakPassion: How were you selected for the U19s?

Saud Shakeel: I had a craze for cricket and I always wanted to become a cricketer. When I was in my teens, I joined UBL Complex. From there I attended the the U19 trials and was selected afterwards.


PakPassion: You had a mixed U19 World Cup. How do you feel about that?

Saud Shakeel: Yes, the U19 World Cup didn't go according to plan. Unfortunately, I didn't score a lot of runs there, which is a regret. I firmly believe that we should get over all these bad patches as improvement always follows when you learn from your mistakes.


PakPassion: Pakistan U19 seem to have a few jitters against the Afghanistan team prior to the U19 World Cup in UAE. Did that effect the team's preparations for the ICC event?

Saud Shakeel: Personally speaking, I had a fairly good time against Afghanistan. However, our team was bundled out cheaply in the 3rd match and in that match only, I failed to perform. We all went into the U19 World Cup in full spirits and had no negative impact of anything on our minds.


PakPassion: You had a training camp in the NCA as well. How was it for you to train there with state-of-the-art facilities?

Saud Shakeel: The NCA provided us with the best facilities in the world. The coaches and the trainers there at the NCA are very hard working and gave us full support. There is no doubt that the NCA is state of the art and it was a matter of pride for me to work at a venue with such facilities as well under the watchful eyes of some of the best trainers in the world.


PakPassion: What went wrong for Pakistan as a team in the U19 World Cup?

Saud Shakeel: I won't say anything went wrong for us in that event. We gelled as a team and gave our best shot in the tournament. I thought it was a great achievement for us to reach the final, which we could have won, but were unfortunate not to win.


PakPassion: As a player, Sami Aslam has done wonders. How do you see him as a captain?

Saud Shakeel: I must say Sami Aslam is one of the most naturally gifted players in Pakistan. He has proved his worth time and again. He's an exceptional talent and one to look out for the future. As a captain, he's very cool and always motivates us. He sets an example whenever he takes the field and encourages us to do well too. He's a role model for upcoming players.


PakPassion: Which Pakistan cricketer do you admire the most these days and why?


Saud Shakeel: Everyone in the Pakistan side is well deserving and has done a lot of hard work to reach there. I won't name any specific player. Misbah bhai, Shahid bhai, Hafeez bhai and Younis bhai etc. are a source of inspiration for us youngsters and in the newcomers I really like the way Sohaib Maqsood plays. He's technically very sound and hits the ball very cleanly.


PakPassion: What are your future plans and aspirations?

Saud Shakeel: There are no set goals to be honest. I take every match as it comes and it's my aim to perform well in that. As every cricketer, I also want to represent my country one day and that's my ultimate aim.


PakPassion: Which U19 players do you think will make it to the Pakistan team?

Saud Shakeel: It will be very harsh to name few players only as all the players are deserving and have the capability of playing for Pakistan in future. I'd say Sami Aslam, Imam ul Haq, Zia ul Haq, Kamran Ghulam and Zafar Gohar have all done wonders for the U19 team and it won't be a surprise to me if all of them go on to play for Pakistan.


PakPassion: When do you think you can break into the Pakistan senior team?

Saud Shakeel: I am not thinking about it yet. I believe I am still very young and I have a long career ahead of me. My job is to score runs and the rest is on the selectors. Whenever they feel I am good enough, they can call me up. If I had to give an approximate time duration, I'd say in the next three years, I hope to be part of the Pakistan team.


PakPassion: You do a bit of bowling as well. Are they any plans to improve on it and emerge as a proper all-rounder?

Saud Shakeel: Yes, I do bowl a bit as well, but my prime focus is on my batting. I really want to improve my batting first and then think about my bowling, which to me is a secondary option. However, I'd like to be selected in the Pakistan team as an all-rounder.


PakPassion: Physical fitness is a problem being highlighted a lot as a key issue with our players. How are you working on that aspect of your game?

Saud Shakeel: Yes, it's a serious issue and we are wary of it. We go through lots of drills in the fitness sessions at the NCA. We have qualified trainers here like Yasir bhai and Saboor bhai. They are very cooperative and make sure we are fully fit. Even Julien Fountain gave us useful tips to stay fit and healthy, along with helping us with our fielding. We have been given separate fielding plans and we try to implement them.

 

[Firebreaker]

He's fat right now and I hope he focuses on his fitness.Impressed me in u19s

 

[Boi]

Has some real class about the way he bats. Was the only one who really impressed me in terms of batting in the U19 WC just concluded. Hope he gets chances at domestic level and can get into the habit of scoring big runs. One to look out for definitely!

 

[Saj]

Baby faced but this lad has a lot of talent.

One thing I noticed about him is that he has a lot of time when he plays his shots, always the sign of a good batsman.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Why is he overlooked?

4 years ago exactly he played an amazing innings for Pakistan A in England

He scored 80 in the first innings followed by 50* in second innings to chase down the total alongside Babar Azam.

I was in the crowd that day, and guess who was sitting watching next to me? Chief selector Inizimam ul Haq.

4 years later, he averages 45+ in both formats, yet isn't no where near national selection.

In 5 years, he's played 0 PSL games!!!!

 

[Nasty Naz]

Why is he overlooked?

4 years ago exactly he played an amazing innings for Pakistan A in England

He scored 80 in the first innings followed by 50* in second innings to chase down the total alongside Babar Azam.

I was in the crowd that day, and guess who was sitting watching next to me? Chief selector Inizimam ul Haq.

4 years later, he averages 45+ in both formats, yet isn't no where near national selection.

In 5 years, he's played 0 PSL games!!!!

Why is he overlooked?

Your last statement is the reason why. The selection criteria is so nonsensical that as a young player, you have to be a performer in useless T20 games to get noticed at all.

 

[MMHS]

Why is he overlooked?

4 years ago exactly he played an amazing innings for Pakistan A in England

He scored 80 in the first innings followed by 50* in second innings to chase down the total alongside Babar Azam.

I was in the crowd that day, and guess who was sitting watching next to me? Chief selector Inizimam ul Haq.

4 years later, he averages 45+ in both formats, yet isn't no where near national selection.

In 5 years, he's played 0 PSL games!!!!

Your last line has the answer of it. He is a touch player, not fit for T20, hence he was rightly not picked for PSL (had he been picked, he would have performed poorly and his game would have been destroyed). Problem is, PAK being a major member of the tiny family of Test cricket it’s quite shameful that the poster boy of PAK cricket has been T20 & PSL - even Test players are picked based on PSL heroics.

There are two problems in this - 1. T20 is not cricket, it’s a different ball game which uses cricket rules, scoring system and gears; very similar to futsol or beach soccer. If you put all your eggs is T20 (read PLs & SLs), eventually you’ll make selection blunders and you’ll ruin potential long term players - example of Shadab, Hasan Ali is there; I hope Haider doesn’t add numbers to the list. Instead of feasting on PSL, PAK’s selectors have to do the tougher job of watching some cricket - from U19 games to second XI and obviously the FC games, every ball of it. Add to that an analysis of actual performance factoring the context - playing surface, weather, opponents, match condition. Finally, integrate it with the national team requirements - combination, playing condition (or host country) and future phasing out plan (of seniors). If I were in charge, the day PCB selectors picked six pacers and two darters for an Asia Cup in UAE - I would have sacked the entire panel that day and make sure that none of those ever comes to any selection process at any level.

Second problem is PSL it self - what is A T20 league? It might be different in Pakistan, but in Bangladesh, it’s just a laundry house - to wash dirty money. Cash rich or politically powerful people using that as a status symbol for their new found fortune. This year, BCB bought out all the teams to monitor the financial transactions and those previous owners were asked to sponsor the franchise - BPL expense reduced by half (no added incentive this time for the love of cricket) .... post CV19, I doubt if there will be BPL 2021.... Bottom line is - these PLs & SLs are always pass time toys for the rich & the famous. They give a damn about developing players or finding new talent - they’ll keep picking known local faces or famous international pensioners. That means, you don’t expect talented youngsters coming through these leagues. I had a major disagreement with few posters here regarding the famous “emerging quota” of PSL - after 4-5 years, I believe you can see how it’s paying dividends. It’s foolish to expect franchise T20 leagues will find uncut diamonds and polish them - rather it’s better business to hype Yasir Jaan or promote Azam Khan. There lies the second problem - PCB & PakPassion beloved that PSL will pluck out talent from streets through emerging quota and convert them into Wasim, Waquar, Inzi, Saeed ....

PSL’s only and only purpose is to sell cheap entertainment to gullible fans and fill PCB’s coffers - money that will be channelled towards the factory, aka Quaid E Azam FC cricket - unless, this process is established, don’t think PAK will be able to filter the best talents through a tier based funnel and Saud Shakils will be missing out. Add to that the quota of sons, nephews & brothers & ..........

Really disappointing to see the fate of Saud, who was marked for greatness by me even as early as U19 WC of 2014.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] emerging quota has also provided the likes of Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Umer Khan, Haris Rauf. Obviously you will have teams that pick the likes of Azam Khan but it is better than having no quota at all

Surely you see it as a net positive as long as national selectors are competent enough to watch first class games (which unfortunately they aren’t)?

 

[shamaan]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] emerging quota has also provided the likes of Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Umer Khan, Haris Rauf. Obviously you will have teams that pick the likes of Azam Khan but it is better than having no quota at all

Surely you see it as a net positive as long as national selectors are competent enough to watch first class games (which unfortunately they aren’t)?

Azam khan didnt have the best tournament but also didnt have the worst

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Azam khan didnt have the best tournament but also didnt have the worst

Agreed he might even become Bradman but we both know why he’s there.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Your last line has the answer of it. He is a touch player, not fit for T20, hence he was rightly not picked for PSL (had he been picked, he would have performed poorly and his game would have been destroyed). Problem is, PAK being a major member of the tiny family of Test cricket it’s quite shameful that the poster boy of PAK cricket has been T20 & PSL - even Test players are picked based on PSL heroics.

There are two problems in this - 1. T20 is not cricket, it’s a different ball game which uses cricket rules, scoring system and gears; very similar to futsol or beach soccer. If you put all your eggs is T20 (read PLs & SLs), eventually you’ll make selection blunders and you’ll ruin potential long term players - example of Shadab, Hasan Ali is there; I hope Haider doesn’t add numbers to the list. Instead of feasting on PSL, PAK’s selectors have to do the tougher job of watching some cricket - from U19 games to second XI and obviously the FC games, every ball of it. Add to that an analysis of actual performance factoring the context - playing surface, weather, opponents, match condition. Finally, integrate it with the national team requirements - combination, playing condition (or host country) and future phasing out plan (of seniors). If I were in charge, the day PCB selectors picked six pacers and two darters for an Asia Cup in UAE - I would have sacked the entire panel that day and make sure that none of those ever comes to any selection process at any level.

Second problem is PSL it self - what is A T20 league? It might be different in Pakistan, but in Bangladesh, it’s just a laundry house - to wash dirty money. Cash rich or politically powerful people using that as a status symbol for their new found fortune. This year, BCB bought out all the teams to monitor the financial transactions and those previous owners were asked to sponsor the franchise - BPL expense reduced by half (no added incentive this time for the love of cricket) .... post CV19, I doubt if there will be BPL 2021.... Bottom line is - these PLs & SLs are always pass time toys for the rich & the famous. They give a damn about developing players or finding new talent - they’ll keep picking known local faces or famous international pensioners. That means, you don’t expect talented youngsters coming through these leagues. I had a major disagreement with few posters here regarding the famous “emerging quota” of PSL - after 4-5 years, I believe you can see how it’s paying dividends. It’s foolish to expect franchise T20 leagues will find uncut diamonds and polish them - rather it’s better business to hype Yasir Jaan or promote Azam Khan. There lies the second problem - PCB & PakPassion beloved that PSL will pluck out talent from streets through emerging quota and convert them into Wasim, Waquar, Inzi, Saeed ....

PSL’s only and only purpose is to sell cheap entertainment to gullible fans and fill PCB’s coffers - money that will be channelled towards the factory, aka Quaid E Azam FC cricket - unless, this process is established, don’t think PAK will be able to filter the best talents through a tier based funnel and Saud Shakils will be missing out. Add to that the quota of sons, nephews & brothers & ..........

Really disappointing to see the fate of Saud, who was marked for greatness by me even as early as U19 WC of 2014.

POTW!!!!

But what do you make of Saud overall??

And what advice would you give him to improve?

Him and Abdullah Shafique are destined for greatness.

 

[Markhor]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] - Superbly put. At the risk of sounding unpatriotic, PSL is a damned curse. Not because it isn't useful for our youngsters to gain experience playing in front of big crowds or as a means for players to make money.

But because it has made our selectors lazy and upcoming players think a half-decent PSL campaign entitles them to international selection. I read Haris Rauf talking about wanting to play Test cricket - good, but how many FC seasons have you played ? Same goes for Mohammed Hasnain.

There's no substitute for the hard yards of 4 day cricket where you learn to bowl long spells, hit a length and set up batsmen. It's where spinners learn how to deceive a batsmen with flight, loop and turn, not practice wicket-to-wicket darts for 4 overs to preserve economy. Or score big hundreds as a batsman. But as MMHS said, Pakistanis are still stuck in this idiotic "talent in every corner of the country" mindset where we believe we can parachute kids from nowhere into PSL and then internationals, circumventing the development process of a young cricketer. Why ? Truth is our selectors are too damn lazy to properly develop a youngster by sending them on A tours, set up county deals, monitor and oversee their coaching at FC level etc. It's too much work for them.

Let's get real about Haider Ali, was it his QEA performances that put him on the radar or was it his PSL displays ? Would Misbah have taken Haider to England without that PSL campaign ? I doubt it.

So sorry Saud Shakeel, you'll have to wait until you're 35 and get a sympathy selection like Fawad Alam.

 

[Titan24]

I dont think PSL has anything to do with Saud Shakeel not getting selected in tests. Abid Ali, Shan Masood, Moh Abbas, Fawad Alam, Umsan Salahuddin, Saad Ali etc have come into test squads without doing anything in PSL.

Problem is with the lack of perspective in the selection overall. Before Fawad last time Usman Salhuddin and Saad Ali were the only new middle order batsmen which came to Pak test squad in last 2-3 years if I am not wrong.

Usman Salhuddin got a call up in June 2018 after an ordinary 2017 season where he averaged 37 but he had 23 100s @ 47 behind him. In the same 2017 season Saud Shakeel also only had an average of 37. One can argue that maybe Saud provided something with the ball but then Haris was already providing that to the team so the went with Usman Salahuddin who has an excellent FC record by any standard.

Usman Salahuddin was dropped after just one test and Saad Ali started travelling with the squad who I guess initially deserved the call up in 2018 when he scored the most runs in QAE 2017 and averaged 70+ with Sr of 70+. After that even Saad Ali was dropped without getting even a single test and now we see Fawad Alam in the squad. Saud had an okish season in 2019 where he only got to play 5 matches and only 5 innings scoring 1 100. If Fawad wouldnt have been selected than we would have seen his thread being active.

Main middle order during these years have been Azhar, Babar, Asad, Haris with slight variations here and there.

Point is PSL has no role in any of this, FC performers are being selected but they arent being given opportunities while Saud have been pretty close to selections he just couldnt make it due to someone else grabbing the opportunity when the opportunity arrived and he slightly faltered.

 

[Titan24]

Let's get real about Haider Ali, was it his QEA performances that put him on the radar or was it his PSL displays ? Would Misbah have taken Haider to England without that PSL campaign ? I doubt it.

So sorry Saud Shakeel, you'll have to wait until you're 35 and get a sympathy selection like Fawad Alam.

PSL campaign definitely helped him to be considered for the T20s. England tour comprises of 3 tests as well as 3 T20s. A single squad of 29 members was to be selected and Haider fits the bill for both the formats. Though i think he is mainly selected for T20s and doubt that he will get a test but even if we see his FC performance he was really good and ended his debut season with an avg of 49 and 2 100s. Further he as shown improvement in every level he has played in last year or so with a pretty good range all around.

As a specialized middle order test squad member the competition was between, Haris, Fawad, Saud Shakeel, Saad Ali and Usman Salhuddin. First three provide a part time bowling option as well which is an advantage. Fawad was in the last squad so the team went with him.

 

[Saj]

He's slowly becoming Fawad Alam Mark 2.

I hope his career doesn't head that way.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

PSL campaign definitely helped him to be considered for the T20s. England tour comprises of 3 tests as well as 3 T20s. A single squad of 29 members was to be selected and Haider fits the bill for both the formats. Though i think he is mainly selected for T20s and doubt that he will get a test but even if we see his FC performance he was really good and ended his debut season with an avg of 49 and 2 100s. Further he as shown improvement in every level he has played in last year or so with a pretty good range all around.

As a specialized middle order test squad member the competition was between, Haris, Fawad, Saud Shakeel, Saad Ali and Usman Salhuddin. First three provide a part time bowling option as well which is an advantage. Fawad was in the last squad so the team went with him.

PSL helped him get noticed, however he wouldn’t have been selected if not for his FC and U19 performances.

 

[Bullet Drive]

He's slowly becoming Fawad Alam Mark 2.

I hope his career doesn't head that way.

Any chance of an interview with him?

 

[Titan24]

PSL helped him get noticed, however he wouldn’t have been selected if not for his FC and U19 performances.

I agree it was the combination of all and overall adaptability and progression he has shown. Misbah said it in the press conference as well.

I think the ideal way to develop him would be to start him with T20 internationals and maybe ODIs (Though top 5 is pretty much settled) then gradually transfer him over to tests. Thats why I said he is probably selected for T20s at the moment but will not be a surprised if he gets a test as well. He is the most complete young batsman we have had in a while so need to develop him well.

 

[Bullet Drive]

I agree it was the combination of all and overall adaptability and progression he has shown. Misbah said it in the press conference as well.

I think the ideal way to develop him would be to start him with T20 internationals and maybe ODIs (Though top 5 is pretty much settled) then gradually transfer him over to tests. Thats why I said he is probably selected for T20s at the moment but will not be a surprised if he gets a test as well. He is the most complete young batsman we have had in a while so need to develop him well.

lol

No chance at all he'll play a test.

 

[TeymurBlake]

A player who is technically suited to play the long format, has the looks of a classy batsman but unfortunately will likely go under the radar. Has superb potential and should have been a part of the Pakistan team by now. Unfortunately will likely only get noticed for having a good PSL.

 

[shamaan]

Agreed he might even become Bradman but we both know why he’s there.

We all know why hes thier but is his batting in the psl just gone justified or not I think so

 

[The Viper]

Any chance of an interview with him?

Here is PakPassion's interview with Saud Shakeel, which was published today.

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...-not-bow-down-to-negativity-quot-Saud-Shakeel