Abdullah Shafique is ready for a fresh start. The young Pakistani batter knows he hasn’t been at his best lately, but he’s determined to turn things around in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, starting March 29.
Reflecting on his recent struggles, Shafique is taking the lessons in stride.
“I didn’t perform well in some of my recent games, but I have learned a lot from those experiences,” he admitted.
That’s the mindset of a player hungry for improvement.
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No Labels, Please: Abdullah Shafique Wants to Play All Formats
Lately, there’s been a growing debate about player specialization—some are labelled red-ball cricketers, while others are tagged as white-ball specialists. But Shafique isn’t a fan of that.
“Tagging a player as a red-ball or white-ball specialist isn’t fair. A cricketer should be capable of playing all formats,” he stated.
And he has a point. The best players in the world—Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Steve Smith—excel across all formats. Why should Shafique be any different?
The New Zealand Challenge: Tough but Not Impossible
Pakistan has never found New Zealand to be an easy place to play. The conditions are challenging, and the Black Caps always put up a fight. But Abdullah Shafique is up for it.
“New Zealand’s conditions have always been challenging for Pakistan. I will do my best to perform well and contribute to the team’s success,” he said.
He’s been working hard in domestic cricket to refine his skills and get back in rhythm. The upcoming series is his chance to prove that he belongs at the highest level.
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Cricket in Pakistan comes with constant scrutiny. Every player is under the microscope, and social media only amplifies the pressure. But Shafique is learning to shut out the noise.
“Criticism is part of cricket. It should be taken positively. A lot is said, but I prefer to focus on my performance,” he remarked.
Modern Cricket = Strike Rate Matters
One of the biggest talking points in white-ball cricket today is strike rate. Gone are the days when a batter could take their time to settle in. Now, scoring quickly is just as important as scoring big.
“In white-ball cricket, maintaining a good strike rate is crucial. It plays a significant role in a team’s success,” Shafique concluded.
With Pakistan often struggling to keep up with modern ODI batting standards, Shafique’s approach to scoring faster could be the key to his redemption.
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