Former national cricket team captain and renowned all-rounder, Mohammad Hafeez, has advocated for the inclusion of two exceptional middle-order batsmen in Pakistan’s ODI squad. Hafeez has voiced his support for Iftikhar Ahmed and Saud Shakeel, both of whom he regards as top-tier middle-order batting talents. Hafeez believes that Pakistan should capitalize on their current form, especially with an eye on the upcoming World Cup in 2023, which is slated to take place in India.
Saud Shakeel, in particular, has recently displayed his prowess by delivering an unbeaten score of 208 runs during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. This performance played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s victory over the Sri Lankan team by a margin of 4 wickets. His exceptional performance in the two-match Test series culminated in an impressive total of 295 runs, achieved at a remarkable batting average of 147.
It’s noteworthy that Saud Shakeel has also made significant contributions in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the T10 League of 2023. Additionally, he exhibited stellar performances during the home series against New Zealand.
It’s pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again appointed former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq as the chief selector. This decision comes as the team prepares for the Asia Cup. Due to slight variations in the playing conditions between Sri Lanka and India, separate squads are set to be selected for each respective series.
