The Young opener of Pakistan, “Abdullah Shafique,” continues to battle a prolonged lean patch in Test cricket. However, he was once hailed as the future of Pakistan’s batting lineup. Now, his latest dismissal for just two runs in Pakistan vs South Africa test match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday has once again raised concern over his dwindling form.
Pakistan made a confident start due to Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood. However, early dismissal of Shafique highlighted the technical flaws that have haunted him over the years in his career.
Early Promise and Rapid Rise
Abdullah Shafique burst onto the international scene as one of the brightest batting talents. Moreover, his elegant stroke play, solid defense, and composure under pressure reminded many of classical openers from the past. Moreover, he smashed 1,330 runs in 30 innings at a stellar average of 47.50 with five fifties and four centuries between his debut and the end of 2023.
During this phase, Shafique’s performances were key to Pakistan’s victories at home and abroad. Plus, his ability to play the long innings, especially in the challenging conditions, has positioned him as the base of the red-ball set-up of Pakistan.
The Alarming Decline Since 2024
On the other hand, things took a drastic turn for Shafique in 2024. Once-reliable techniques of his began to crumble as he struggled to run consistently. So, he has only managed 176 runs at a disappointing average of 14.67. It is the number that tells a grim story. Plus, nine single-digit scores and four ducks forced him under immense pressure.
| Criterion | Till 2023 | Since 2024 |
| Innings | 30 | 13 |
| Runs | 1330 | 176 |
| Average | 47.50 | 14.67 |
| 50s/100s | 5/4 | 0/1 |
This statistical drop shows a temporary setback with a serious technical and mental block that needs a quick correction.
Technical Weaknesses: What’s Going Wrong with Abdullah Shafique?
A deeper look at the dismissal of Shafique exposes a recurring pattern. Since 2024, he has been dismissed LBW or bowled six times, which is clear evidence of his struggle against incoming deliveries. Plus, he has an 11.6 average against pace. However, his stats against spin are 20.8, which are quite better due to the spin-friendly surface of Pakistan.
His big issues lie in his footwork, as Shafique puts his front foot too early while keeping his back foot static. Hence, it results in poor weight transfer and a large gap between bat and pad. So, this half-committed movement makes him vulnerable to deliver that nip back in.
Cricket experts have also compared this flow to the technical aspect that late New Zealand legend Martin Crowe discussed. He highlighted that the back foot movement of the batter starts with balance and timing. So, Shafique’s back foot, as seen in many dismissals against Bangladesh and South Africa, leads to late reactions and mistimed shots.
Recent Test Against South Africa: Another Setback
The dismissal of Shafique in the first over by Kagiso Rabada in the ongoing test series against South Africa was another blow to his confidence. Still, Pakistan’s other openers, Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood, capitalized on favorable batting conditions. However, the early exit of Shafique has once again highlighted his struggle to accept.
What Lies Ahead for Shafique?
Time is running out for Abdullah Shafique to rediscover his rhythm because of growing competition in the top order of Pakistan. Plus, the coaching staff of Pakistan might need to work closely with him on footwork drills, shot selection, and mental composure to help him overcome his slump.
On the other hand, opposition teams are quick to exploit technical weaknesses because we are in the era of advanced video analytics and data-driven strategies. So, he could lose his place in the squad of Pakistan squad if he did not fix the errors.
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