Pakistan batter Abdullah Shafique was emotional after scoring a century on the first day of the Multan Test against England. He expressed relief at overcoming the challenges of failure.
This century is his second in Test cricket after going through a tough phase in his career. Shafique had been close to becoming the fastest player to reach 1,000 Test runs but faced a dip in form. His 102-run knock, with 10 fours and two sixes, came off 184 balls against a strong English bowling attack in the sweltering heat.
Shafique’s partnership of 253 runs with captain Shan Masood, who also scored a century, was crucial for Pakistan on a tricky pitch. Their stand gave the team much-needed stability.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Shafique said, “A sportsman faces challenges and failure, but you have to overcome them. I’m grateful to the management and captain for their support.” He added that the partnership with Masood gave the team a big boost.
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Shafique also acknowledged the pressure of performing, especially in this match. He praised Masood for creating a secure environment for the players and backing them during tough times. Despite the extreme heat in Multan, Shafique remained focused on his game, saying that success comes when you seize opportunities, which boosts the confidence of the entire team.