Pakistan’s opener Abdullah Shafique continues to impress, particularly with a stellar century against England in a key Test match. His century not only helped solidify Pakistan’s innings but also reignited conversations around his potential as a top-tier batsman. Despite a dip in form in 2024, where he struggled in several innings, Shafique’s century is a powerful reminder of his talent and ability to perform under pressure.
Source:- bbc news
A significant discussion arose around his career comparison to Indian legend Virat Kohli. After 19 Tests, Shafique has accumulated 1,372 runs at an average of 40.35, which slightly surpasses Kohli’s record after the same number of Tests, where Kohli had scored 1,178 runs at an average of 40.62. Both players had scored four centuries at this stage of their careers, although Kohli had six fifties compared to Shafique’s five. These statistics were highlighted by Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, who defended Shafique’s place in the team despite his inconsistent performance earlier in the year. Masood argued that Shafique’s current numbers justify continued trust in his abilities and predicted a bright future for the young opener
Source:- bbc news
Shafique’s 2024 form had raised questions, as his average fell dramatically after a standout performance of 201 runs against Sri Lanka earlier in the year. Without that innings, his average drops to just over 14 in his last 19 innings. Nonetheless, Masood emphasized that decisions regarding player selection should be objective, and Shafique’s talent and early success in his Test career warrant giving him more time to develop
Shafique’s century against England comes at a crucial time, showing he can deliver in high-pressure situations. As he continues to build his career, comparisons to Kohli will likely persist, especially if he maintains his ability to perform at the highest level.
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