PSL 8, The top-order batter for the Lahore Qalandars, Abdullah Shafique, believes it is inappropriate to link a player with a certain format. During an interview with Geo News on the sidelines of Qalandars’ practice session at Islamabad Club, the batter said that the fundamentals of cricket do not alter regardless of the format and that a player just has to make slight tweaks to meet the standards.
Abdullah Shafique in red hot form in PSL 8
“Your fundamental stays the same regardless of the playing type. It is inappropriate to state that a certain player is compatible with just one format. It is essential that we see a player exerting effort and working hard,” he said. “In T20s, you need a higher strike rate, and I believe I am achieving that.
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“I’m not doing it to please anybody else; I’m doing it to satisfy myself,” stated the top-order hitter. Often regarded as a red-ball specialist, the 23-year-old has represented Pakistan in 12 Tests, amassing 992 runs at an average of 47.23.
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Even though he has played in three T20Is and one ODI for the national squad, he has not been given a decent run in white-ball cricket. Abdullah’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 statistics for Qalandars are 75, 45, 15, and 48.
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“I am pleased with my performance and even thrilled with my team’s success; we are the first team to qualify for the playoffs, which is a great feeling,” he remarked. Abdullah said, “Shaheen has performed well as team leader; he keeps everyone cohesive and inspired, even if someone is unable to perform so that confidence does not waver.”
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Abdullah said that he strives to learn new things in every game and training session, with the goal of acquiring skills that would benefit him in the future. He said that Fakhar Zaman and Sam Billings are two flashy hitters and that he is seeking advice from both of them.
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In response to a question, Abdullah said that everyone has personal ambitions in every tournament, but the most important aim is to contribute to the success of the team. He said, “I aim to play in accordance with my team’s needs and contribute more and more to the team’s success.”
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The top-order hitter said, “We have momentum and will attempt to continue it into the following matches as well.” Abdullah said that having elite bowlers such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Rashid Khan in the same dressing room is a gift.
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Abdullah concluded, “As a professional, you must be prepared to face any bowler, but any batter in the world would prefer to avoid facing such bowlers. I am glad that I don’t have to compete against them, but I would add that facing them in net sessions has prepared me well to face any bowling attack.”
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