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Pakistan Opener Abdullah Shafique Set To Play With Ruturaj Gaikwad For Yorkshire

Anurag Dasgupta

Shafique to play with Gaikwad [Source: @Dhoniismforlife/x.com]Shafique to play with Gaikwad [Source: @Dhoniismforlife/x.com]

Pakistan's forgotten opener, Abdullah Shafique has signed for English County Club, Yorkshire and will play two Championship matches at Trent Bridge and York. Apart from the two Championship matches, Shafique will also take part in four matches in the Vitality T20 Blast. He will play alongside Indian star, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has also penned a deal with the team.

After signing for Yorkshire, Abdullah Shafique released his first statement, wherein he expressed his excitement to play for the Yorkshire County Club: “I’m immensely pleased to be afforded this opportunity with Yorkshire and I’m eager to join up with the team ahead of a big game against Nottinghamshire.

“Headingley is a venue I’ve always wanted to play at and I’m excited to experience a Roses fixture which I’ve already heard will have an incredible atmosphere!


“There is so much history at this Club, and I hope I can contribute on the pitch at what is a very important period of the season for the team.”

A look at Shafique's international career

The signing of Shafique will bolster the Yorkshire batting as his elegant style and compact batting will strengthen the team in the 6 matches that he will play for the club.

Shafique had a promising start to his international career as the batter scored 52 and 73 on his Test debut Vs Bangladesh. Since then, he racked up crucial runs against Australia and Sri Lanka and became a key figure for the Pakistan team. In 22 Tests, he has accumulated 1504 runs, at an average of 38, including 5 centuries to his name.

After Tests, he also represented the Men in Green in ODIs and T20Is but so far, he has had an average white-ball career.

The downfall in Tests and getting dropped

After a string of impressive performances, Shafique had a downfall in Tests in 2024. In 6 Tests, he could only amass 174 runs, at an average of 15.82. As a result, the batter was dropped from the opening spot, with Shan Masood preferred to open with Saim Ayub.

In 2022, 2023, he averaged 51 and 39 respectively but 2024 witnessed a slump and hence, he was omitted from the side.