Abdullah Shafique has guarantyd his place in Pakistan’s team for the next England Test series following an outstanding performance in the West Indies. The 26-year-old batter’s unbeaten 160 in the first innings at Port of Spain and 24 not out in the fourth innings helped Pakistan win the second Test by eight wickets. His century was his first hundred since October 2024 and a remarkable achievement for local Pakistani hitters.
Shafique was added to the West Indies squad when Abdullah Fazal suffered a lower back injury while training at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. “I’ve played one game for Yorkshire in the County Championship last summer and feel confident about adjusting to the conditions at Leeds,” Shafique told PCB media after making his Test cricket debut at number three during the Port of Spain Test. He was immediately successful.
Shafique’s success in the West Indies
Shafique’s most recent success comes after a difficult period during which he averaged 20.52 in Test matches between December 2023 and October 2025. He prepared for the England tour by participating in the President’s Trophy Grade-II Gold event, where he batted in seaming and spin-friendly conditions across four sites. The home tournament allowed him to develop under pressure and under challenging circumstances.
“I’ve faced England a few times at home (2022 and 2024) and this away series against them will be an exciting challenge,” Shafique said.
Pakistan will want to build on this momentum as they prepare for the England series, which includes Test matches at Headingley, Lord’s, and Edgbaston. Pakistan has not won a single Test series in England in the preceding thirty years, despite winning three straight series there in 1987, 1992, and 1996.
