Pakistan men’s Test cricket team captain Shan Masood has backed out of form opening batter Abdullah Shafique by saying that the 24-year-old right-handed batter has a better record than Indian batting legend Virat Kohli. Shan, who has been retained as Pakistan’s Test captain for the upcoming series against England, defended Shafique, who was heavily criticised for his poor batting performances in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh in August-September 2024.
“Have we still not come out of this liking and disliking in the team? We are continuing to give those (inconsistent) players chances… shouldn’t (batsman) Kamran Ghulam be given a chance from now on?… Be it Abdullah Shafique or Saim Ayub, the same set of players are playing in Tests as well as T20Is,” a journalist asked Shan.
While replying to a reporter’s query regarding backing of out-of-form players during a recently organised press conference in Pakistan, Shan said he also has selective stats to prove his point for backing players.
“With all due respect, I don’t think your question is accurate… I agree that Pakistan hasn’t played good cricket in 2024, but mixing Tests and T20I stats is not right. Things should be looked at objectively. You talk about stats. The other day I was reading a stat that Abdullah Shafique, who has played 19 Tests, has a better record than Virat Kohli,” Shan said.
“If I back a player who becomes a good servant for Pakistan cricket and lose my own spot in the process, I will have no regrets.”Shan Masood answered a question about Pakistan’s Test openers.#PAKvENG | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/ecNlKGhssN
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) September 30, 2024
“When you are making a team, it is the responsibility of the team. Look, the responsibility is mine. I have to take the pain as a leader. Not just mine, but of others as well. Only then something will happen. In the end, I will be happy. If I have backed a player, and God willing, he becomes a very good servant for Pakistan and scores a lot of runs for Pakistan, and if in that process I have to give up my place, I will not regret it. If I am backing the right thing, I will always sleep peacefully. I will live my life peacefully,” he added.
Shan backed his teammate Shafique by comparing his record with Kohli after 19 Tests. Kohli, who made his red-ball debut for India in 2011, had scored 1178 runs after 19 matches with an average of 40.62, whereas Shafique has 1372 runs to his name in 19 Tests.
Comments
0 comment