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[VIDEOS] Talent Spotter: Abdullah Shafique

Too early to say anything

Important thing is that he should be given a proper opportunity in this season
 
Deewana Mastana said:
Abdullah Shafique, Saif Badar, Omair Yousuf, Haider Ali, Saud Shakeel.

Remember the names :misbah3
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I'll remember them but I don't know if there are any plans by this clueless management to develop any of them. I don't think Misbah even knows about these names.

Personally, I also rate Huraira from the U19 team very highly. He's quite raw at this point, but seems to have got what it takes.
 
Deewana Mastana said:
Abdullah Shafique, Saif Badar, Omair Yousuf, Haider Ali, Saud Shakeel.

Remember the names :misbah3
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Haider Ali is a class apart from the other players you’ve named. Despite all the negatives, the PSL is a huge blessing which means we have Haider part of the squad training with the coaches and batting against the best bowlers in the country.

Now he has the tools for his development and it’s down to his own hard work and temperament.
 
Forum363 said:
Haider Ali is a class apart from the other players you’ve named. Despite all the negatives, the PSL is a huge blessing which means we have Haider part of the squad training with the coaches and batting against the best bowlers in the country.

Now he has the tools for his development and it’s down to his own hard work and temperament.
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On what basis is he a "class apart"? We'll see, but I don't think you can say that before seeing the others. This Abdullah guy, for example, could be much better. Haider has quite a few identified problems he needs to work on.
 
Third Man said:
On what basis is he a "class apart"? We'll see, but I don't think you can say that before seeing the others. This Abdullah guy, for example, could be much better. Haider has quite a few identified problems he needs to work on.
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Because of some of the shots he played in the PSL and u19 World Cup. Pakistani batsmen don’t play those kind of shots. Especially not a young one. He’s not the finished article at all, but he is the most exciting talent we’ve had for a long time along with Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.

Even Babar took time to develop some of the shots in his armoury.

And yes, Abdullah might be better - but we’ve not seen any real clip of him batting to that level against international bowlers.
 
Third Man said:
I'll remember them but I don't know if there are any plans by this clueless management to develop any of them. I don't think Misbah even knows about these names.

Personally, I also rate Huraira from the U19 team very highly. He's quite raw at this point, but seems to have got what it takes.
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Like I said in the post #85 it is over flowing as has been since forever.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nice hit in the nets ���� powered by [MENTION=143683]WorldClass[/MENTION]willow_uk ������ <a href="https://t.co/4U3l1qIVHH">pic.twitter.com/4U3l1qIVHH</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1281214334081945604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Unbelievable sound off the bat.

Quick feet and amazing reactions
 
Btw, Misbah rates Abdullah Shafique very highly!

It was him who got Abdullah a domestic contract.

He really thinks highly of Saif.

Not exaggerating, but Abdullah has the potential to be a batting great for Pakistan.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The nets are my happy place &#55356;&#57295; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YES?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YES</a> <a href="https://t.co/57g6dV7P2W">pic.twitter.com/57g6dV7P2W</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1287674294445780992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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Bullet Drive said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The nets are my happy place �� <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YES?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YES</a> <a href="https://t.co/57g6dV7P2W">pic.twitter.com/57g6dV7P2W</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1287674294445780992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Absolutely stunning. I don’t think I would be exaggerating if I said, he seems to be two levels about Tendulker in terms of ability and skill.
 
Bullet Drive said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The nets are my happy place �� <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YES?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YES</a> <a href="https://t.co/57g6dV7P2W">pic.twitter.com/57g6dV7P2W</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1287674294445780992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Weight transfer is good but ball little away from body . Keep working hard <a href="https://t.co/MlkiQK34jY">pic.twitter.com/MlkiQK34jY</a></p>— Rashid Latif ®️ (@iRashidLatif68) <a href="https://twitter.com/iRashidLatif68/status/1287676222617640960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Bullet Drive said:
Btw, Misbah rates Abdullah Shafique very highly!

It was him who got Abdullah a domestic contract.

He really thinks highly of Saif.

Not exaggerating, but Abdullah has the potential to be a batting great for Pakistan.
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Any idea whether Misbah has said anything to indicate that he rates him highly? It’s one thing to rate someone high enough to play domestic and another thing to rate someone fullstop.
 
Deewana Mastana said:
Abdullah Shafique, Saif Badar, Omair Yousuf, Haider Ali, Saud Shakeel.

Remember the names :misbah3
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Abdullah and Omair look very promising. Given that they have just broken through to top grade domestic cricket this season it'll be another year or two for them. Hope they will perform well in the next edition of the QeA trophy and get chances at the top level.
 
Abdullah Shafique looks more like a 27+ year old to me .... why do these cricketers take years off their actual ages .... who are they going to kid.....
 
Boycottisno2 said:
Abdullah Shafique looks more like a 27+ year old to me .... why do these cricketers take years off their actual ages .... who are they going to kid.....
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lololololololol

He is one of the ONLY ones who has declared a proper age.

HE is genuine 20 year old and proof of that.

Only him and Shan Masood have real ages.
 
Beautiful.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Love the pull shot👀 <a href="https://t.co/5hVoacSVu9">pic.twitter.com/5hVoacSVu9</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1296096276023517186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Potential selection (again) by Multan on the cards?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Right team, wrong year.</p>— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) <a href="https://twitter.com/aliktareen/status/1300736204875407362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
We should be trying MANY these young players in T20. The results dont matter, its the talent that we discover that matters in this format
 
Arsal_AK said:
Yeah. From what I have seen from him, he should target the number 3 spot in tests, with Babar at 4. Could be quite the partnership. You want your best two at those positions and he has the ability to be it. Has all shots, seems to put in the hardwork and has so much time while batting.

In ODI's, Babar is settled at three, that leaves the opening spots.
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But hes ganna have some compition in that spot with usman saladin,imran butt,omair bin yousuf,zeeshan malik

I was thinking maybe at number 5 in replace to shafiq he has all the shots in the book to
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The nets are my happy place🔥💥 <a href="https://t.co/GLN91YqOTb">pic.twitter.com/GLN91YqOTb</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1309918814973427713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
MenInG said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The nets are my happy place&#55357;&#56613;&#55357;&#56485; <a href="https://t.co/GLN91YqOTb">pic.twitter.com/GLN91YqOTb</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1309918814973427713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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LOOKS solid. Think this must be the year he comes out as a top performer!

Hope he gets to open the batting.
 
Damn he looks good. Clearly he enjoys batting and is keen to improve.

We might have another Babar on our hands, hopefully.
 
hitthestump said:
Damn he looks good. Clearly he enjoys batting and is keen to improve.

We might have another Babar on our hands, hopefully.
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You’re basing this on a net session on concrete against 50mph bowling?

If we didnt know who he was and watched a net sessions of Ahmed Shehzad we would all be screaming that we’ve found the next Tendulker.

Anyone can play well in nets. Until and unless he does something in a proper televised game, to compare him to the likes of Babar is ridiculous.
 
Forum363 said:
You’re basing this on a net session on concrete against 50mph bowling?

If we didnt know who he was and watched a net sessions of Ahmed Shehzad we would all be screaming that we’ve found the next Tendulker.

Anyone can play well in nets. Until and unless he does something in a proper televised game, to compare him to the likes of Babar is ridiculous.
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Normally I'd agree.

But if you've followed him since his u19 days, you'll see he is our next batting star.

He doesn't just average 50 in tournaments, he's been averaging 80+ in regional tournaments, and scoring 180+ scores in 50 over games.

The guy has serious hunger for runs.

And in his first domestic season he averaged 75 with 3 tons( 1 double ton)

Everyone in Sialkot knows of him as the next big thing.

I've spoken to Saif Badar who says that Abdullah is even better than Saif himself

He isn't the next Babar, the styles are so different.

Abdullah is very very agressive, but controlled aggression similar to KL Rahul.
 
Bullet Drive said:
Normally I'd agree.


But if you've followed him since his u19 days, you'll see he is our next batting star.

He doesn't just average 50 in tournaments, he's been averaging 80+ in regional tournaments, and scoring 180+ scores in 50 over games.

The guy has serious hunger for runs.

And in his first domestic season he averaged 75 with 3 tons( 1 double ton)

Everyone in Sialkot knows of him as the next big thing.

I've spoken to Saif Badar who says that Abdullah is even better than Saif himself

He isn't the next Babar, the styles are so different.

Abdullah is very very agressive, but controlled aggression similar to KL Rahul.
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Can Abdullah be successful in the T20 format?
 
2020-21 domestic season is a really important one for him and can be his breakout domestic season if he is ready for that. He is most likely to get quite a few opportunities for Central Punjab across the formats. Done extremely well for 2nd XI and scored an impressive century in his main team debut so will need to continue that.
 
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Bullet Drive said:
Normally I'd agree.

But if you've followed him since his u19 days, you'll see he is our next batting star.

He doesn't just average 50 in tournaments, he's been averaging 80+ in regional tournaments, and scoring 180+ scores in 50 over games.

The guy has serious hunger for runs.

And in his first domestic season he averaged 75 with 3 tons( 1 double ton)

Everyone in Sialkot knows of him as the next big thing.

I've spoken to Saif Badar who says that Abdullah is even better than Saif himself

He isn't the next Babar, the styles are so different.

Abdullah is very very agressive, but controlled aggression similar to KL Rahul.
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I fought he was more babar kind of player times the ball but not just of a big hitter if he is aggressive then that's good we need it
 
zain7077 said:
Can Abdullah be successful in the T20 format?
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No doubt. Watch this:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nice hit in the nets 💥💥 powered by [MENTION=143683]WorldClass[/MENTION]willow_uk 🤟🏻💪 <a href="https://t.co/4U3l1qIVHH">pic.twitter.com/4U3l1qIVHH</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1281214334081945604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
No doubt. Watch this:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nice hit in the nets 💥💥 powered by [MENTION=143683]WorldClass[/MENTION]willow_uk 🤟🏻💪 <a href="https://t.co/4U3l1qIVHH">pic.twitter.com/4U3l1qIVHH</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1281214334081945604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Very impressive.....
I think he has modelled his batting style after Virat Kohli's. A little bit touch of KL Rahul as well.

He will definitely play for Pakistan (But for that he has to wait till he is 32+).
 
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Thunderbolt14 said:
No doubt. Watch this:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nice hit in the nets &#55357;&#56485;&#55357;&#56485; powered by [MENTION=143683]WorldClass[/MENTION]willow_uk &#55358;&#56607;&#55356;&#57339;&#55357;&#56490; <a href="https://t.co/4U3l1qIVHH">pic.twitter.com/4U3l1qIVHH</a></p>— Abdullah Shafique (@imabd28) <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28/status/1281214334081945604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Let's waite and see if he can be successful in this national t20

So much talent thou and skill
 
Kaddy said:
Very impressive.....
I think he has modelled his batting style after Virat Kohli's. A little bit touch of KL Rahul as well.

He will definitely play for Pakistan (But for that he has to wait till he is 32+).
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I see :misbah4
 
Anyone watching this lad? Unfortunately never got to see his inning today. Hafeez just tweeted:

Abdullah Shafique batting Technique & his process to score runs so far is 😍 #NationalT20Cup

How good is he?
 
Only batsman in the world to score a 100 on FC as well as T20 debut.
 
ataullah said:
Anyone watching this lad? Unfortunately never got to see his inning today. Hafeez just tweeted:

Abdullah Shafique batting Technique & his process to score runs so far is 😍 #NationalT20Cup

How good is he?
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Fantastic. Cool, dynamic, some of those shots were so wristy. Rotated strike like he’s played for 10 years already and saved the game from 2-2 chasing 200. Wow. I saw him for the first time several months ago and knew he was special right away.
 
Simply extraordinary stuff. Yes scored a 102* off 58 but his defense, backlift and stroke play technique was really impressive. I cant pin point a single fault in his innings today.
 
Honorable mention to Umar Akmal for getting banned and PCB for replacing the Central Punjab coach.
 
I hate hyping any pakistani batsman but after watching the whole innings today i can safely say that Abdullah Shafique is ready to play for Pakistan.

Can someone please request Misbah to give him ODi debut against Zimbabwe.

We are not playing too many ODis before 2023 WC. Give him a chance now and he will be ready and matured by the world cup.

Please Misbah please.......
 
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Thunderbolt14 said:
Fantastic. Cool, dynamic, some of those shots were so wristy. Rotated strike like he’s played for 10 years already and saved the game from 2-2 chasing 200. Wow. I saw him for the first time several months ago and knew he was special right away.
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Good cuz Pakistan need young middle-order batsman.

They are plenty of top order guys like Imam, Haider, Zeeshan ,etc.

But apart from Saud there are no youngsters who can rotate the strike against spinners.
 
Titan24 said:
Simply extraordinary stuff. Yes scored a 102* off 58 but his defense, backlift and stroke play technique was really impressive. I cant pin point a single fault in his innings today.
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Very exciting

Him and Haider Ali to bat alsongside Babar Azam
 
Damn another batting prodigy on the horizon after Babar, Haider. Another guy who has been scoring runs since his u-16 days (just like Babar, Haider).

All shots were proper cricket shots, unlike Haider who occasionally gives his wicket away playing a poor shot.
 
Prince of Pakistan said:
Damn another batting prodigy on the horizon after Babar, Haider. Another guy who has been scoring runs since his u-16 days (just like Babar, Haider).

All shots were proper cricket shots, unlike Haider who occasionally gives his wicket away playing a poor shot.
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Add Zeeshan to that as well. With Saud, Muhammad Haris, Hurraira also in the wings. In Sha Allah our future will be bright and Mamoon etc will be proven wrong one day. Ameen
 
He looks the most talented out of all. His technique stands out, plays well both on front and back foot and very pleasing on the eye. Can’t predict the future, but he is Pakistan’s best bet to be the next batting future superstar. It is all up to him. Good luck dude
.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A superb 102 off 58 balls today for Abdullah Shafiq including 11 fours and 4 sixes. He's a huge fan of Virat Kohli and has hopes to play for Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup <a href="https://t.co/ML8Qxz0hm5">https://t.co/ML8Qxz0hm5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NationalT20Cup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NationalT20Cup</a> <a href="https://t.co/BOdNpPKOXy">pic.twitter.com/BOdNpPKOXy</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1311374446792409088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
HappyWarsFan said:
Not going to buy into the hype. Like to see what Mamoon and MMHS think first.
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[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] is the best poster on PP and I rate his views highly. But the other...

I watched Abdullah bat for the first time 3 years ago and looked very good though he didn't score many runs. But he's improved a lot since then. Played an excellent knock with proper cricket shots. He had around 11 dot balls and 3 were in his 90s. I personally rate him more then Haider Ali who is an excellent prospect too. But Abdullah Shafique looks way more polished and has a solid defence too.

Anyway exiting times with this likes of him haider and zeeshan malik.
 
Well...technically he looked better than both Haider & Zeeshan.

He can play both spin & pace, can play both sides of the wicket, knows how to rotate the strike, can hit without slogging by playing proper cricketing shots.

Only thing we have to see how he plays against express pace especially short pitch stuff & how he reacts to swing & seam (which is very rare these days in white ball cricket).
 
Haider
Abdullah Shafique
Babar
Saif Badar

One day we might see them play together in the national side.

Wow, just wow...
 
Khan12 said:
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] is the best poster on PP and I rate his views highly. But the other...

I watched Abdullah bat for the first time 3 years ago and looked very good though he didn't score many runs. But he's improved a lot since then. Played an excellent knock with proper cricket shots. He had around 11 dot balls and 3 were in his 90s. I personally rate him more then Haider Ali who is an excellent prospect too. But Abdullah Shafique looks way more polished and has a solid defence too.

Anyway exiting times with this likes of him haider and zeeshan malik.
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Haider's role model is Rohit

Abdullah's role model is Kohli

Their batting styles' reflect that.
 
Mueez said:
Haider
Abdullah Shafique
Babar
Saif Badar

One day we might see them play together in the national side.

Wow, just wow...
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Unfortunately Saif Badar has regressed a lot. Looked a fine prospect. Still young hopefully he gets back soon.
 
Khan12 said:
Unfortunately Saif Badar has regressed a lot. Looked a fine prospect. Still young hopefully he gets back soon.
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Yeah but we all know the potential is there... he’s got age on his side so if he works hard enough - he will definitely get his rewards.

Other than that Pakistan has Zeeshan Malik, Omair Yusuf, Saud Shakeel and many promising youngsters in the ranks.

Just need to groom them properly.

I can guarantee you that this lot will be a much better upgrade than the “seniors” we right now have...
 
Mueez said:
Yeah but we all know the potential is there... he’s got age on his side so if he works hard enough - he will definitely get his rewards.

Other than that Pakistan has Zeeshan Malik, Omair Yusuf, Saud Shakeel and many promising youngsters in the ranks.

Just need to groom them properly.

I can guarantee you that this lot will be a much better upgrade than the “seniors” we right now have...
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I am sick and tired of the rubbish seniors we have. Saud should have made his test debut by now and would have played around 20 odd tests if we had dropped asad.

Zeeshan no idea what crime he committed that he barley got a chance is last few years. Good to see him finally getting chances under M. Wasim. He's another who's 3 to 4 years have been wasted. These youngsters at least won't do worse then the likes of malik, ifti etc.

Hopefully mohammed haris is given a go somehow for kpk.
 
Just watched his batting. Very straight bat, no slot whatsoever. Alhamdolillah for this blessing
 
Khan12 said:
I am sick and tired of the rubbish seniors we have. Saud should have made his test debut by now and would have played around 20 odd tests if we had dropped asad.

Zeeshan no idea what crime he committed that he barley got a chance is last few years. Good to see him finally getting chances under M. Wasim. He's another who's 3 to 4 years have been wasted. These youngsters at least won't do worse then the likes of malik, ifti etc.

Hopefully mohammed haris is given a go somehow for kpk.
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Agree. The seniors are just pathetic and they would’ve never survived for so many years in the international arena had they not been playing for Pakistan. Alas it is what it is.

I have been saying this for a while but Mohammad Wasim for me is the best Chief Selector for Pakistan. I hope he gets the job whenever Misbah steps down/gets sacked.

Seriously can’t wait to see all the young boys to play for Pakistan and represent our country.

Wish them good luck for in the future and I hope they realize what they can achieve in their careers.
 
Abdullah you beauty. That chase was so... clinical. How many times have you ever said that about any Pakistani across domestic or international cricket?

Such a pleasure to watch.
 
The way he handled the pressure chasing a big score also batting out of position is proper character.he also played proper cricketing shots and didnt waite anyballs technically very correct
 
Kaddy said:
Well...technically he looked better than both Haider & Zeeshan.

He can play both spin & pace, can play both sides of the wicket, knows how to rotate the strike, can hit without slogging by playing proper cricketing shots.

Only thing we have to see how he plays against express pace especially short pitch stuff & how he reacts to swing & seam (which is very rare these days in white ball cricket).
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Hes technically very correct more correct than both zeeshan and haider
 
Impressive Player.
Would like to know what [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] and [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] say.
 
Only one innings old.


Remember umar akmal was gold standard after his first odi innings.


Lets wait and see how it goes from here
 
Abdullah Shafiq – the youngster who has turned cricket followers into his admirers

• After being promoted from Second XI to First XI for the last round 2019-20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture, the 20-year-old scored a century on his first-class debut to not only earn a place in the 2020-21 First XI squad but also a “C” Category domestic contract

Multan, 1 October 2020:

The opening day of the National T20 Cup First XI tournament on Wednesday provided top-notch cricket as 806 runs were scored in the two matches played at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

It was dominated by Pakistan’s young guns – Haider Ali (90), Zeeshan Malik (77), Musa Khan (three for 31).

But the player who stood-out and was noted globally was 20-year-old Abdullah Shafiq. Playing in his maiden T20 match, he turned his cricket followers into his admirers as he smashed a riveting century, which turned a daunting 201-run target into a cakewalk for Central Punjab as they defeated Southern Punjab by seven wickets with seven balls spare.

The right-handed Sialkot-born batsman smashed 11 fours and four sixes in his scintillating 102 not out off 58 balls.

Abdullah started his career with Amir Waseem Cricket Academy in Sialkot and graduated to the top level in domestic cricket by representing Sialkot Region at the U16 and U19 level. He was picked for Pakistan U19 side for the tour of Sri Lanka in October 2015 and two ACC U19 Asia Cups in 2016 and 2017.

He was picked in the Second XI side by Central Punjab for the three-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament in the 2019-20 season and was quick to grab the opportunity as he cracked two centuries and a half-century in six matches to record 545 runs at an imposing average of 68.13.

His telling showing earned him a spot in Central Punjab’s star-studded First XI team and Abdullah made sure that he got the spotlight with a 209-ball 133 on his first-class debut in December 2019.

He was subsequently rewarded by the Pakistan Cricket Board for his impressive run as he received a category ‘C’ domestic central contract for the 2020-21 season.

In a conversation for PCB digital with Shan Masood, the captain of Southern Punjab, Abdullah revealed there were some nerves when he was going in to bat after Central Punjab were two down for one in three balls, but spending some time on the pitch helped him get over them.

“I was quite nervous initially, but as I played a few balls, I started to gain confidence,” said Abdullah. “I tried to play my natural game and stick to my strengths. That is how I established my innings.

“This is indeed quite a memorable day for me just like that one on which I scored my maiden first-class century on debut. Both have their own significance but I rate this innings of mine more because this is my best innings to date.”

That Abdullah had a cricketing influence at his home further helped him in his development as a player as his father, Shafiq Ahmed, was a former first-class cricketer.

“My family would be really happy on my achievement. They have provided me unconditional support throughout my journey and have always stood by me through thick and thin. My father and my uncle follow my cricket and they advise me to play with courage.”

Abdullah admires Babar Azam and Ricky Ponting and wants to build on his perfect start. “My ambition is to serve Pakistan and want to build on how I have started my career. I want to give my hundred percent whenever I get an opportunity.”
 
Last edited:
JibranAnsari said:
Only one innings old.


Remember umar akmal was gold standard after his first odi innings.


Lets wait and see how it goes from here
Click to expand...
Early days definitely, but the lad did boss a chase of 200, playing some of the most outrageous shots. He looked head and shoulders above every other talent on show yesterday, including Haider Ali.
 
I have seen this innings - albeit T20 knock, but looks awesome. Batting is process oriented task - more than volume of runs scores, I try to see how those are scored. I'll see two more innings before writing anything. Remember, it was a domestic T20, on a belter and I think to add spice they have pulled the boundary in, under heavy dew and the bowling chart is led by spent out Irfan. Still impressive - one more such innings, he'll deserve his chances against ZIM.
 
Abdullah Shafique can really be developed into a really good player. He has got all the ingredients; picks the lengths early, excellent technique while defending and playing strokes, good bat flow and backlift, good strike rotation and temperament looks solid too.
 
I dont think i have seen a more polished young batsman from Pakistan ever.
That ability to hit the ball on the up along with a solid defence.
Only made 20 but he looked a couple of tiers above anyone else on show.
 
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