Babar Azam predicts Abdullah Shafique will rise after Galle performance is news of the day. Read out the complete details down below.
Babar Azam predicts Abdullah Shafique will rise after Galle performance
After making a hundred against Sri Lanka in Galle, Pakistan captain Babar Azam thinks Abdullah Shafique could become one of the best Test openers in the world. On day five, Shafique hit 160 runs without getting out, which helped Pakistan win in a record-breaking chase of 342 at the beautiful place.
The 22-year-old batted for almost nine hours against a spin attack led by Prabath Jayasuriya, who took nine wickets in the match. In March, Shafique hit 136 runs without getting out against Australia in Rawalpindi. This was his second Test century, and it was only his sixth Test match. The right-handed batter hit seven fours and one six in his 408-ball innings, which was praised by the team’s captain.
In their last partnership, Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz batted together without stopping for 41 runs. In his 11th Test innings, Shafique had an average of 80 runs per game. Azam is 27 years old. He continued to score a lot of runs by scoring 119 in the first innings and 55 in the second. Thus, Azam said that out of the eight Test centuries he had, this one was “special.” Also, Azam also said that Jayasuriya was Sri Lanka’s “primary weapon” in his second Test, which was also a compliment. On Sunday, the second and last Test will begin in Galle.
Official statements
“As a youngster, when you prove yourself and perform in tough conditions and difficult tracks, then it’s good,” Azam told reporters.
“His confidence was high after performing against Australia so he was on a different level. And to perform against quality bowling, your confidence goes up higher.”
“The way he plays, so clean and with his focus, he will get many, many more such knocks,” said Azam, who was involved in a key third-wicket stand of 101 with Shafique to set up the chase.
“I hope that he becomes one of the best openers in the world.”
“It was kind of special because the team needed it,” said Azam, who batted with the tailenders in the first innings to help the team recover from 85-7 to 218.
“It was one of the best hundreds in Test matches (for me) because it was difficult. To play with tailenders you need double concentration to guide them and watch yourself as well. And I am happy that I did that.”
