Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Who is Abdullah Shafique?

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Thursday, 01 October 2020 05:33

Following Central Punjab's remarkable run chase against Southern Punjab yesterday, in which 20-year old Abdullah Shafique smashed a debut hundred, ESPNcricinfo sheds some light on who he is, and what you need to know about him.

Who is Abdullah Shafique?

Well, for starters, he is not related to Asad Shafiq - but hey, he scored a T20 hundred and played a match-winning innings, so you may have guessed that. He's no relation to Shafiq Papa either, the first class legend who soared to fame on the back of his domestic exploits. He does have cricket running in his blood, though, with his father, Shafiq Ahmed, also having played first-class cricket in Pakistan. Besides, his uncle, Arshad Ali, has played international cricket for the UAE.

He is a 20 year old from Sialkot who represented the Sialkot Region at U-16 and U-19 levels while honing his craft at the Amir Waseem cricket academy. The academy, founded by the man it was named after, has produced several reputable cricketers for Pakistan.

Why are we talking about him?

Well why wouldn't we? Making his T20 debut in the National T20 Cup yesterday, he batted alongside arguably the best domestic T20 batsman Pakistan has ever had in Kamran Akmal - a man twice his age - and outshone him comprehensively in a daunting chase of 201. While Akmal hit 75 off 41, Shafique was by no means content to play second fiddle, sticking around after Akmal had been dismissed, and finishing the job off, reaching a 55-ball hundred in the process. He smashed four sixes and 11 fours against a bowling attack that includes Mohammad Irfan, Umer Khan and Aamer Yamin, and began his innings by staring down a hat-trick ball in the first over.

Why, indeed, are we talking about anything else?

Well, that's not too bad, but maybe this was a one-off? Lightning doesn't strike twice.

Well, lightning has struck at least twice. He has only ever played one first-class match, called up to the first XI for a Quaid-e-Azam trophy match, also against Southern Punjab - maybe he really likes these Punjab derbies. He scored 133 in the only innings he batted, and thus yesterday, became the first Pakistan player, and just the second in cricket history, to manage debut hundreds at both first-class and T20 level.

Were people in Pakistan impressed?

He got some live appreciation from the most prominent cricketers in Pakistan while he was at the crease. Mohammad Hafeez praised his batting technique and "process to score runs", while the Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali simply remarked "what a knock!" That sort of attention should do his prospects no harm, particularly if he can carry on how he began at this National T20 Cup.

So if he's this good, can we see him at the PSL please?

Well, now you can certainly expect him to. He was actually snapped up by Multan Sultans three years ago at the draft before he had even turned 18. While that didn't result in any appearances, don't be surprised if he's much hotter property for next season's draft.

Read 231 times

Soccer

Utd chief: Club aiming for the top under Amorim

Utd chief: Club aiming for the top under Amorim

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United are aiming to get back "to the top of domestic an...

Real Madrid president blasted in Ballon d'Or row

Real Madrid president blasted in Ballon d'Or row

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA Namibian journalist criticised by Florentino Pérez for failing to...

Barça to close singing section due to unpaid fines

Barça to close singing section due to unpaid fines

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona will close a section behind the goal at the Olympic Stadi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Malone rips into Nuggets after Knicks put up 145

Malone rips into Nuggets after Knicks put up 145

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter his Denver Nuggets "got embarrassed" in a 145-118 blowout los...

C's celebrate Porzingis' return with dominant win

C's celebrate Porzingis' return with dominant win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- In his first game since helping the Celtics win the NBA c...

Baseball

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJeff Hoffman is one of the most sought-after relievers in this offs...

Rays asked to declare stadium decision by Sunday

Rays asked to declare stadium decision by Sunday

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Tampa Bay Rays have until Sunday to declare whether they want t...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated