ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Lahore Qalandars’ top-order batter Abdullah Shafique feels that it is not the right approach to associate any player with one certain format.
In an exclusive interview to Geo News on sidelines of Qalandars’ practice session in Islamabad Club, the top-order batter said that the basics of cricket doesn’t change with format and a player just need to make minor adjustments according to requirement.
“Your basics remains the same, whatever format you’re playing. It is not the right thing to say that a certain player is suitable for only one format. It is important that we see how a player is putting efforts and doing his hard work,” he said.
“In T20s, you need to have a better strike-rate and I think I am doing that well. I am not doing it to satisfy anyone else, I am doing this for my own’s satisfaction,” said the top-order batter.
The 23-year-old is usually considered as red-ball specialist, he has represented Pakistan in 12 Test matches scoring 992 runs at an average of 47.23.
Though he has played three T20Is and one ODI, he didn’t get a proper run in white-ball cricket in the national team.
In PSL 2023, playing for Qalandars – Abdullah has scores of 75, 45, 15 and 48.
“I am satisfied with my performance and happy because my team is winning, we became the first team to qualify for the playoff stage which is a good feeling,” he said.
“Shaheen has been superb as team leader, he keeps every one gelled together and keeps everyone motivated even if one is not able to perform so that the confidence doesn’t shake,” said Abdullah.
Abdullah said that he tries to learn new things in every match and every training session and aim to adopt things which can help him learn things beneficial for future.
He mentioned that Fakhar Zaman and Sam Billings are two flamboyant batters and he is seeking guidance from the duo.
Replying to a question, Shafique said that everyone have their personal goals in every tournament but important is to contribute towards team’s success.
“I try to play according to my team’s requirement and contribute more and more in team’s success,” he said.
“We have got the momentum and we will try to carry this into remaining matches as well,” the top-order batter said.
Abdullah said that having top bowlers like Shaheen, Haris and Rashid Khan around in same dressing room is a blessing for him.
“While as a professional you have to be ready to face any bowler but any batter in world would prefer to avoid facing such bowlers, I am glad that I don’t have to contest against them but I would add that facing them in net sessions prepare me well to face any bowling attack,” Abdullah concluded.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.