Pakistani skipper Babar Azam said on Wednesday that Abdullah Shafique could become one of the world’s best Test openers after his epic century against Sri Lanka in Galle. Shafique hit an unbeaten 160 to send Pakistan home in a record 342 chase at the picturesque venue as Pakistan won a tense opening test in the final session on day five. The 22-year-old hit just under nine hours and five sessions against a spin attack led by in-form Prabath Jayasuriya, who took a match total of nine wickets.
“If you prove yourself as a youngster and perform in difficult conditions and difficult circuits, then it is good,” Azam told reporters.
“His confidence was high after a performance against Australia, so he was on a different level. And to perform against quality bowling, your confidence goes up.”
Shafique, who made 136 notout against Australia in Rawalpindi in March, recorded his second Test barrel in just his sixth game since his debut last year.
The right-handed batsman blocked, defended, drifted and attacked in his 408 ball stay with seven fours and one six to win rich praise from the captain.
“The way he plays, so clean and with his focus, he’s going to take many, many more blows like that,” said Azam, who was involved in a key 101 third-wicket stand with Shafique to set up the chase.
“I hope he becomes one of the best openers in the world.”
Shafique, who now averages 80 in 11 Test innings, set up 71 runs with wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan (40) and then an unbeaten final score of 41 with Mohammad Nawaz, who made 19 not-out.
The 27-year-old Azam also held onto his prolific runs score with a challenging 119 in the first innings and then 55 in the second to push Sri Lanka on the back foot.
Azam rated his century “special” among the eight Test hundreds he has beaten in 41 games.
“It was kind of special because the team needed it,” said Azam, who batted with the tailenders in the first innings to help the team recover from 85-7 to 218.
“It was one of the top hundreds in Test matches (for me) because it was difficult. To play with tailenders you need double concentration to guide them and also look at yourself. And I’m glad I did have done.”
Azam also praised opposition spinner Jayasuriya for being their “main weapon” in his second Test for Sri Lanka.
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The second and final Test starts on Sunday, also in Galle.
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
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