Shafique focused on New Zealand ODIs with one eye on World Cup

Abdullah Shafique wants to put up a good show against New Zealand — AFPLAHORE: Pakistan’s top-order batter Abdullah Shafique is confident ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand on home soil.The five-match ODI series will take place after the conclusion of the ongoing T20Is. “We have prepared adequately for the ODI series against New Zealand. We are also following the ongoing T20I series in order to finalise our plans for the ODIs. The series against New Zealand will also aid our preparations for the World Cup. We have eight ODIs before the mega event which are very important for players in terms of performance,” said Shafique. It must be noted that Shafique had a torrid time in the middle in T20I cricket after becoming the first player with four consecutive ducks in the shortest format of the game. Three of those ducks came during the recent T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah. “Afghanistan series wasn’t good for me but ups and downs are part of a player’s career. We always try to make full use of the opportunities we get as a player. Sometimes such unwanted records can make you a better player as well. I will try to take this positively and put up a better show next time,” he said. The right-hander also said that he wants to make a name for himself in all the formats of the game.“I have never focused on playing just one format. I try to play each format in accordance with its requirements. I don’t want to prove myself in only one format of the game,” he said.The 23-year-old has played 12 Tests, one ODI and six T20Is for Pakistan over the course of his brief career since making his debut in 2020. Pakistan squadsT20I: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman KhanODI: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir. Reserves: Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Tayyab TahirRemaining matches of New Zealand tour of Pakistan (T20Is to start at 9pm; ODIs to begin at 3.30pm):20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi27 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi29 Apr – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News. Comments Submit مضمون کا ماخذ:مصری ڈریمز ڈیلکس