[VIDEOS] Is Abdullah Shafique the most highly-rated young Pakistani batter of recent times?

[Mamoon]

[MENTION=141811]shariqnoor[/MENTION] is correct in his assessment as usual.

Younis Khan would have a SR of 30-40 for his first 50 runs but then he will score the next 50 or 100 runs at a SR of 65+, which meant he ended with a healthy SR of ~55.

This is where Abdullah & even Imam is lacking but the latter has shown good improvement lately.

I like Imam a lot & I want to like Abdullah too because I want Pakistan to have a long last opening pair in Test cricket even though I don’t support the team, but Abdullah needs to do more to impress me.

 

[Mamoon]

Also because I am desperate to not see Masood back in the team but I feel that the veteran night watchman Azhar Ali will open the door for him at number three soon.

 

[ChTab]

There is something off-putting about him. He is scoring runs but his body-language & demeanor reminds me of timid players like Azhar & Shafiq.

You can also add Yasir Hameed to the list, who had a brilliant start to his Test career & looked a classical opener but was a bundle of nerves.

I will be more than happy to see Shafique have a long lasting, successful partnership with Imam but I won’t be surprised if things go south for him very soon.

He does look really good especially when you consider Pakistani standards but his real test will be in SENA, hope he performs well

 

[James]

Looks to have a very solid technique for the subcontinent. Building a very good record.

As ever for an Asian batsman, the true Test will be in away conditions.

 

[MenInG]

What a start to his Test career

 

[Bilal7]

He has the technique to do well in England and New Zealand but as with all Pakistani batsmen, South Africa and Australia will be a challenge. However, he doesn't need to average 50+ there, even a decent average in the 30s will suffice.

As long as he continues to pile the runs everywhere else, it really doesn't matter if he fails in a couple of countries, that have been notoriously hard for even the very best that we have produced.

 

[Saj]

Some work to do on the short ball.

Footwork doesn't look right at times.

 

[Amjid Javed]

At times looks solid and good, but then has habit of playing some really senseless poor shots, 2nd inns here being prime example. There was no need to attempt playing hook shot when england had men back and were just using short ball attack.

If he removes these silly shots, he will do well consistantly.

 

[Jazx]

There is something off-putting about him. He is scoring runs but his body-language & demeanor reminds me of timid players like Azhar & Shafiq.

You can also add Yasir Hameed to the list, who had a brilliant start to his Test career & looked a classical opener but was a bundle of nerves.

I will be more than happy to see Shafique have a long lasting, successful partnership with Imam but I won’t be surprised if things go south for him very soon.

He looks far better as a batsman than scratchy azhar ali. Had a match winning knock in 4th innings against lanka, so hope he will only improve from here. And as most of the people here are concerned about him performing in SENA, i would say if a batsman can't perform on these flat wickets he can only dream to perform in sena. Someone who can pile up big scores on these flat decks can only perform decently in sena.

 

[Mamoon]

He looks far better as a batsman than scratchy azhar ali. Had a match winning knock in 4th innings against lanka, so hope he will only improve from here. And as most of the people here are concerned about him performing in SENA, i would say if a batsman can't perform on these flat wickets he can only dream to perform in sena. Someone who can pile up big scores on these flat decks can only perform decently in sena.

I will be happy to see him have a long career because that would mean the useless Masood doesn’t get selected as opener since Imam has cemented his position & is rated highly by the management & rightly so.

I have nothing against him because he is not of those loudmouths with a show-off personality & is focused on his own game.

 

[topspin]

He needs to work on his strike rate. Batting at Azhar Ali pace. If it wasn't for his runs everyone would call him out on this.

 

[Jazx]

I will be happy to see him have a long career because that would mean the useless Masood doesn’t get selected as opener since Imam has cemented his position & is rated highly by the management & rightly so.

I have nothing against him because he is not of those loudmouths with a show-off personality & is focused on his own game.

Yeah he doesn't seems to be like that. And as a test opener, all he is required to give a good start to the innings and covert them into big scores. Body language and intent will be developed later once he plays more and more matches.

 

[shamaan]

A very good start to his international cricket career.

 

[MenInG]

Seems to have missed a straight one - not sure.

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[Amjid Javed]

Has been very poor in 1st inn's of the last 7 tests apart from Roadpindi, needs to improve on his 1st inn's knocks.

 

[Moiz14]

It's not about 1st or 2nd innings.. Clear weekness on the incoming deliveries whether fast or slow bowling since the start of his career... Shame that our batting coach hasn't done anything yet on this.. 80% of his dismissals are like these.. He is also week on bouncers... Good players know it themselves and work on these issues before teams start exposing you.

 

[Saj]

A few soft dismissals creeping in which isn't good going forward.

 

[rajulakhpati]

Problem is that many Pak players have "promising starts" to their careers and proceed to not develop further. Once teams figure out their weaknesses they're finished. There is no focus from players/management to make necessary adjustments to counter the way opponents attack them. In comparison, players on other teams improve as they gain more experience (ex. Travis Head). Hope Abdullah can keep adjusting and continue to develop.

 

[Ahmed216]

More focused on technique and appearance than hitting the ball. Not sure he’s a good batsman instinctively

 

[MenInG]

A few soft dismissals creeping in which isn't good going forward.

And another one

 

[James]

Basically identical dismissals for him in both innings at Karachi, the same error made against the same bowler each time. Test cricket is really tough, even for the guys who had a great start & we shouldn’t forget that…

 

[Savak]

Abdullah when he first came on the scene in T20 Cricket was a dasher, he played aggressive strokes and I even saw him dance down the wicket to pace bowlers to whack them.

He has gone the other route by deliberatly over defending and over focusing on his defensive technique, to prove to the team management about his ability to play each ball on his merits and hence the numerous dismissals while defending.

 

[amvbfm]

Abdullah isn't as good against spin as he is against pace and has a definite weakness against left arm spin. Taijul, Jayasuriya and Leach have all troubled him. Needs to work on this.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

I think he was victim to the Commentator's Curse today.

Average over 90 in second innings?

 

[shah_1]

Babar used to be sitting duck against left arm spin but he has worked it out since SL tour.

The arm ball is his biggest enemy

 

[Mamoon]

He keeps missing straight balls like Asad Shafiq who was also renowned for his “technique”.

 

[MenInG]

Split screen Shafique left and Babar right showing how well Babar played and Shafique's issues

 

[Mamoon]

Proudly carrying forward the legacy of Azhar & Shafiq. His career will almost be identical.

The year is 2034. 35 year old Abdullah Shafique is closing in on his 100th Test match with an average of 42 & SR of 40.

Most Pakistani fans want him gone because apart from 2-3 innings over his career, he has never really won any matches for Pakistan.

 

[Omer2002]

Babar used to be sitting duck against left arm spin but he has worked it out since SL tour.

The arm ball is his biggest enemy

The ball did spin no doubt but hundred percent he needs to work on his game against left arm spin

 

[Kroll]

I really hope Shafique comes off as we're really struggling to fill this test team. There is a batsman in there somewhere but he needs to keep working hard to improve.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Proudly carrying forward the legacy of Azhar & Shafiq. His career will almost be identical.

The year is 2034. 35 year old Abdullah Shafique is closing in on his 100th Test match with an average of 42 & SR of 40.

Most Pakistani fans want him gone because apart from 2-3 innings over his career, he has never really won any matches for Pakistan.

[MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION] has started a thread called “Abdullah Shafique isn’t good enough” to remind us that Abdullah is the xth highest scorer in Pakistan’s history & we must respect his grit & how he served Pakistan with dignity.

That's ... Eerily prescient

 

[Amjid Javed]

Shaffique getting done by left arm spinners just like batting coach moyo use to get out. After a good start to his career he's got sloppy and needs to work on his game as NZ spinners will expose any technical flaws he's showing.

 

[Savak]

Not to concerned about Shafiq. Bad moments are normal early on in ones career. Time will tell if he will iron out his flaws.

 

[shamaan]

Not one inch worried about Abdullah.

 

[shariqnoor]

He keeps missing straight balls like Asad Shafiq who was also renowned for his “technique”.

I personally think Asad Shafiq gets a lot of hate but he was a good player as per Pakistan standards. He was a solid number 6 batsmen and has played some good innings. Yes he played mostly inconsequential knocks but he has also played some invaluable innings - for e.g his partnership with Misbah at Lords where he scored 70 odd at more than 55 SR and a 49 in the second innings where he ensured Pakistan ended up with a match winning lead. Again scored 100 odd in the 4th Test at the Oval at 60SR. These were consequential knocks and have been forgotten. Pakistan has still not been able to replace Asad Shafiq at number 6. Don't get me wrong, Asad wasn't overly great but for me it was criminal to have let go of Asad and not Azhar.

 

[Savak]

I personally think Asad Shafiq gets a lot of hate but he was a good player as per Pakistan standards. He was a solid number 6 batsmen and has played some good innings. Yes he played mostly inconsequential knocks but he has also played some invaluable innings - for e.g his partnership with Misbah at Lords where he scored 70 odd at more than 55 SR and a 49 in the second innings where he ensured Pakistan ended up with a match winning lead. Again scored 100 odd in the 4th Test at the Oval at 60SR. These were consequential knocks and have been forgotten. Pakistan has still not been able to replace Asad Shafiq at number 6. Don't get me wrong, Asad wasn't overly great but for me it was criminal to have let go of Asad and not Azhar.

Asad being a 77 test veteran, should have been able to score loads of volumes of runs in domestic cricket to put pressure on the selectors to get a recall. He didn't do that and he is touching 37 years of age now.

 

[shariqnoor]

Asad being a 77 test veteran, should have been able to score loads of volumes of runs in domestic cricket to put pressure on the selectors to get a recall. He didn't do that and he is touching 37 years of age now.

I wouldn't bring back Asad Shafiq ever now. His time is up.

 

[Mamoon]

I personally think Asad Shafiq gets a lot of hate but he was a good player as per Pakistan standards. He was a solid number 6 batsmen and has played some good innings. Yes he played mostly inconsequential knocks but he has also played some invaluable innings - for e.g his partnership with Misbah at Lords where he scored 70 odd at more than 55 SR and a 49 in the second innings where he ensured Pakistan ended up with a match winning lead. Again scored 100 odd in the 4th Test at the Oval at 60SR. These were consequential knocks and have been forgotten. Pakistan has still not been able to replace Asad Shafiq at number 6. Don't get me wrong, Asad wasn't overly great but for me it was criminal to have let go of Asad and not Azhar.

It was also a myth that Shafiq failed under pressure. I have argued that many times here. He was generally inconsistent because if you look at most of his hundreds, they were in pressure situations.

Overall he was a timid player, had more shots than Azhar but never good enough to be the backbone of the team.

When he was dropped, he was performing better than Azhar but the latter was elevated to a higher status because he was an ex-captain & the 2016-17 purple patch meant that he was regarded as a superior batsman than Shafiq.

 

[shah_1]

He is such a rubbish batsman of left arm spin. Every team has it, it got it lucky vs Australia.


Rubbish batsman. Hurraira plays spin well, we need such players at home. Forget about doing anything worthy away from home.

 

[Saj]

Another poor shot today.

Cheap dismissal, nothing shot.

Got bogged down and then played a ridiculous shot.

 

[Omer2002]

I have defended him from day 1 but there is no execuse here on this pitch...As saj says got bogged down

 

[Ashmal]

I personally think Asad Shafiq gets a lot of hate but he was a good player as per Pakistan standards. He was a solid number 6 batsmen and has played some good innings. Yes he played mostly inconsequential knocks but he has also played some invaluable innings - for e.g his partnership with Misbah at Lords where he scored 70 odd at more than 55 SR and a 49 in the second innings where he ensured Pakistan ended up with a match winning lead. Again scored 100 odd in the 4th Test at the Oval at 60SR. These were consequential knocks and have been forgotten. Pakistan has still not been able to replace Asad Shafiq at number 6. Don't get me wrong, Asad wasn't overly great but for me it was criminal to have let go of Asad and not Azhar.

Asad was someone who never took lead.

He was highly inconsistent and even his good knocks came where either he played the second fiddle or the game was already lost.

Both those knocks you cited above had Misbah and Younis doing most of the hard work and Asad playing a supporting role.

But when Misbah and Younis were gone, Asad was expected to finally take a leading role and be more consistent.......but he never took off.

Azhar declined massively post 2018, but before that he had his moments and played more defining knocks than Asad....hence he got a longer run.

And Azhar batted at #3 or an opener a much more challenging role than #6 for Asad.

 

[PakEngFan]

I have defended him from day 1 but there is no execuse here on this pitch...As saj says got bogged down

Agreed a pathetic shot to get out to and it’s not the first time he’s done this. There was no need for it too considering the game situation.

 

[Ashmal]

Abdullah has a weakness against incoming deliveries with both pace and spin.

Needs to work on that.

 

[Amjid Javed]

seems to be regressing every game, shockingly poor shot today.

Very menytally weak. Hes been poor for all of england series and same again here.

 

[shah_1]

Typical Pakistani batsman

Show bit of promise at the start then show real aukaat after some time

 

[Ashmal]

seems to be regressing every game, shockingly poor shot today.

Very menytally weak. Hes been poor for all of england series and same again here.

Mentally weak players can't play those knocks that he did in 4th inngs vs Aus and SL.....and that too within his first few games.

His issue is technical, needs to sort it out before next season.

 

[MenInG]

Similar shots against spinners being played by Williamson and Shafiique

 

[Cricket-lion]

Similar shots against spinners being played by Williamson and Shafiique

That is terrible head position, balance and angle of bat from Shafiq. Kane Williamson looks perfect.

 

[Saj]

My concern is that whilst his start to his Test career has been superb, all 21 innings have been in Asia.

 

[shah_1]

Mentally weak players can't play those knocks that he did in 4th inngs vs Aus and SL.....and that too within his first few games.

His issue is technical, needs to sort it out before next season.

He has a issue with his balance. Needs to work on it. The guy was bossing the domestic cricket, it shows the level of talent Pakistan has at this point.

 

[Kroll]

Similar shots against spinners being played by Williamson and Shafiique

Just shows the level of work or lack of thereof guys like Yousaf are doing.

 

[Marooned]

Said it a number of times before that he is an extremely average talent. No real shots to speak of. Tuk tuk king and then plays risky lofted shots to compensate.

But we somehow think it's a good idea to try him in white ball too now.

 

[shah_1]

Rashid Latif exposed him perfectly on Game on hai(PTV show), he plays with hard hands, needs to open his stance a bit against spin.

Anyway not impressed at all. The future is very bleak for Pakistan test team

 

[shah_1]

Said it a number of times before that he is an extremely average talent. No real shots to speak of. Tuk tuk king and then plays risky lofted shots to compensate.

But we somehow think it's a good idea to try him in white ball too now.

Misbah should be blamed.

 

[PakEngFan]

Rashid Latif exposed him perfectly on Game on hai(PTV show), he plays with hard hands, needs to open his stance a bit against spin.

Anyway not impressed at all. The future is very bleak for Pakistan test team

The question is what is the coaching staff doing? He’s been getting out in the same manner against spin so far and he doesn’t seem to be getting better. He also has a weakness against the ball coming in be it pace or spin.

 

[PakEngFan]

Said it a number of times before that he is an extremely average talent. No real shots to speak of. Tuk tuk king and then plays risky lofted shots to compensate.

But we somehow think it's a good idea to try him in white ball too now.

He’s not as bad as you are making him out to be. The problem is we have rubbish at domestics too. The only one who is good is Huraira in his position.

 

[shariqnoor]

Yep. I knew all about him the moment I saw him. Abdullah "timid" Shafique.

Pakistan is truly cursed. After waiting for a good 2-3 years for Azhar Ali's retirement, in comes his version 2.0. He may end up with 5000 runs but all will be meaningless apart from a couple of knocks here and there, just like Azhar Ali.

The sad part is, he doesn't even realize that his lack of intent is his biggest flaw. And neither does the management. So he will carry on in this same vein and hope he strikes form.

 

[ssuhaide]

A mental midget his bubble is bursting. Will be exposed outside Asia. A fraud

 

[The_KING]

He is Azhar Ali 2.0.

 

[shah_1]

The question is what is the coaching staff doing? He’s been getting out in the same manner against spin so far and he doesn’t seem to be getting better. He also has a weakness against the ball coming in be it pace or spin.

Yousaf is a nothing coach.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistani fans always get excited over nothing. His body language & timid approach has been a problem from day one.

The red flags were there when he was picked for the T20I series in NZ & he looked so nervous you would think he is going to run away.

Nervous, timid & boring. Infinitely better than Shan Masood though. He is basically the heir to the throne vacated by Azhar Ali.

 

[PakEngFan]

A mental midget his bubble is bursting. Will be exposed outside Asia. A fraud

A mental midget can’t play a knock like he did in Sri Lanka. The obsession with calling every player a mental midget when they don’t score. I bet 90% don’t even know the meaning of it just because they have heard it now they have to use it all the time.

Yes he has technical flaws and there is a lot to improve on doesn’t mean he metal midget if he doesn’t score.

 

[Bewal Express]

Poor execution today and thought process wasn't that great because he look solid. Too many more and he will be back playing for the local Water board next season

 

[Hawkeye]

Pakistani fans always get excited over nothing. His body language & timid approach has been a problem from day one.

The red flags were there when he was picked for the T20I series in NZ & he looked so nervous you would think he is going to run away.

Nervous, timid & boring. Infinitely better than Shan Masood though. He is basically the heir to the throne vacated by Azhar Ali.

As you say, we don't really have talent.

Considering that, he's a lot better than other options we have, like Shan Masood.

The reality is, he's good enough to be given further chances for a team like ours. We're no ENG, IND or AUS with immense batting talent waiting at the bench.

 

[Saj]

I have faith in his ability.

But sterner tests lie ahead - in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and England.

Only then will we know how good/bad he is.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistani fans always get excited over nothing. His body language & timid approach has been a problem from day one.

The red flags were there when he was picked for the T20I series in NZ & he looked so nervous you would think he is going to run away.

Nervous, timid & boring. Infinitely better than Shan Masood though. He is basically the heir to the throne vacated by Azhar Ali.

It doesn't matter. Like you yourself said, Pakistan has to reward top domestic performers and he and Hurraira topped the charts. If this guy is bad, then the rest are bound to be dreadful. Might as well stick with Abdullah and hope he improves.

 

[Hawkeye]

It doesn't matter. Like you yourself said, Pakistan has to reward top domestic performers and he and Hurraira topped the charts. If this guy is bad, then the rest are bound to be dreadful. Might as well stick with Abdullah and hope he improves.

Agreed.

He's done well so far by our standards, and needs to be backed.

I'll love to test him in SENA as well.

 

[Monsee]

I have faith in his ability.

But sterner tests lie ahead - in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and England.

Only then will we know how good/bad he is.

Besides Hurraira (who is a different beast all together), I doubt if we have any openers that are even half decent compared to Shafique. We must stick with him and coaches should work with him in removing any deficiencies he's got.

I think most of his problems can be resolved by being more positive at the start and not trying to jump out to spinners too often (to hit them over the infield), at least for now. Also, a more determined effort to play late, close to his body, and as straight as possible, could help him immensly.

He is one of the best we have domestically and he has scored a few big 100's in tests to show case his talent, we need to give him a longer leash to become more confident. Also, signing him up for the SA league (since Aussie and UK ones are harder to get into sometimes) for 1-2 years will definitely help him become a more rounded player.

 

[Mamoon]

As you say, we don't really have talent.

Considering that, he's a lot better than other options we have, like Shan Masood.

The reality is, he's good enough to be given further chances for a team like ours. We're no ENG, IND or AUS with immense batting talent waiting at the bench.

It doesn't matter. Like you yourself said, Pakistan has to reward top domestic performers and he and Hurraira topped the charts. If this guy is bad, then the rest are bound to be dreadful. Might as well stick with Abdullah and hope he improves.

He should play, but the hype needs to die down. He was the best young opener in the world according to some.

He is average but others are worse. This is what happens when you have absolutely no talent.

 

[Cric1234]

Luckily he started his career on some flat wickets in Pakistan it will be tougher outside Asia fast bowlers will get more bounce and movement needs to improve quickly especially his scoring rate as his defense is suspect.

 

[Rana]

This guy will be opening for Pakistan in all 3 formats very soon if Imran Khans PCB comes into power

 

[Cricket-lion]

This guy will be opening for Pakistan in all 3 formats very soon if Imran Khans PCB comes into power

Where did you get this absurd information from? Please let us all know.

 

[ex-q-zit]

MoYo on Abdullah Shafique

"Abdullah Shafique scored a hundred against England in the first game but after that he has struggled"

"The playing field is like an examination room, and in such situations it's best not to to make any technical changes as a coach as it becomes a little difficult to do"

"Yes, there is fine-tuning and interaction happening with him and he is trying his best; Any player, and we have all been through such periods, where if you don't perform in 4-5 innings things can look a little difficult and a player can get worried; To tinker with his technique at such a point can cause more damage"

"He was a little unlucky today as the ball came on to him a little slowly and he got a top-edge; In such situations all we can do is try and give confidence to the player and to make any technical changes is a difficult task"

 

[Savak]

3 test matches with low scores. Players need to perform or other wise make way for others on the bench

 

[James]

Literally an identical dismissal today to when Ollie Robinson bounced him out at Rawalpindi a few weeks ago.

Couldn’t control a pull shot against the short ball and spooned one up to the square leg boundary sweeper, who couldn’t believe his luck.

AS needs to learn from these moments quickly as this was a clear plan from NZ, based on their own research, and it worked perfectly for them.

 

[shah_1]

One thing I have learned being a Pakistan cricket team fan is to never believe in the hype of Pakistan talent unless they perform for 2 to 3 years at least

 

[shamaan]

3 test matches with low scores. Players need to perform or other wise make way for others on the bench

Abdullah needs to be given an extended run unless thiers someone more better.

 

[shah_1]

Too early to say anything

People start going gaga over any talent too early, at the end up being an epic disappointment.

Wait for at least two years. It has been a year and half, he has followed a similar path to Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Maqsood and Umar Akmal(great start then the great slide to mediocrity)

 

[Savak]

Shafiq needs to be dropped, he is not performing and his confidence is shot at the moment. You have to perform to stay in the team.

Huraira deserves a chance in our next assignment