Prominent Indian cricket commentator, Harsha Bhogle, has voiced his beliefthat Pakistan may have stumbled upon the perfect opening batsman in theform of Abdullah Shafique as they prepare for the 2023 World Cup. Shafique,who made a memorable debut with a maiden ODI fifty in the Super 4 clashbetween Pakistan and Sri Lanka, made a strong impression on Bhogle.
Bhogle expressed, “At times, you come across the right choice by chance.Pakistan might have discovered the ideal opener for the World Cup inAbdullah Shafique,” in a tweet on September 14, 2023.
Shafique’s inclusion in the match against Sri Lanka was unplanned, broughtabout by opener Imam-ul-Haq’s back injury and Saud Shakeel’s illness.Nevertheless, Shafique rose to the occasion in this critical game,partnering effectively with captain Babar Azam to contribute significantlyto a crucial 64-run partnership for Pakistan. During his innings of 52runs, Shafique achieved his fifty in 65 deliveries, showcasing his prowesswith three boundaries and two sixes.
