Pakistan’s opening batter, Abdullah Shafique, has expressed his gratitude for Babar Azam’s encouraging words, calling them an honour. Speaking to the media, he shared his excitement about returning to the national squad and acknowledged the challenges of playing in New Zealand.
Abdullah emphasized that he aims to perform well on the tour, crediting domestic cricket for helping him refine his skills. He remains hopeful of meeting Babar Azam’s expectations and contributing positively to the team’s success.
Focused on Performance and Positivity
Shafique highlighted the strength of the New Zealand team, acknowledging that they are never an easy opponent. He is determined to put up a strong fight and deliver consistent performances.
Addressing criticism, the young batter stated that it is an inevitable part of cricket and should be taken constructively. He prefers to focus on his game rather than paying attention to unnecessary negative comments.
He also praised fellow cricketer Saim Ayub, calling him a valuable asset to Pakistan cricket and wishing him success.
On Adapting to All Formats
Abdullah Shafique reflected on his recent performances, admitting they haven’t been up to the mark but insisting that he has learned valuable lessons. He dismissed the notion of categorizing players as red-ball or white-ball specialists, asserting that a professional cricketer should be capable of excelling in all formats. Additionally, he emphasized the significance of strike rate in limited-overs cricket.
