Honoured To Be Compared To Rahul Dravid But I Used To Follow Ricky Ponting - Abdullah Shafique

Pakistan’s young batting prospect, Abdullah Shafique has responded after his skipper, Babar Azam, compared his style of play to the likes of former Indian cricketer, Rahul Dravid.

Babar had said that he enjoys watching Shafique bat as it reminds him of Dravid with the clean shotmaking and decision-making.

“I personally watch and definitely enjoy Abdullah’s stylish batting. He plays very clean, his stance and the way he ducks the ball are impressive. Usually, we compare him to Kane Williamson and Rahul Dravid. We call him Dravid.”

“In the presence of Abdullah, the place of opener Shan Masood, another polished batter, may be in doubt but our main aim in selecting an individual is the team’s interest,” Babar told Dawn News.

“After Babar and Yousaf Bhai, I followed him” – Abdullah Shafique

Shafique responded to his captain’s statements, saying that he followed former Australian batter, Ricky Ponting, before moving on to one of Pakistan’s most successful players, Mohammad Yousuf.

“I am honoured that Babar compared me with Rahul Dravid. But I used to follow Ricky Ponting a lot. After Babar and Yousaf Bhai, I followed him.”

“I didn’t get a chance to play but it was good being around the players who were playing. I will try to grab any opportunity that comes to me in the upcoming Sri Lanka Test tour,” Shafique told PAKtv.

The 22-year-old Shafique made his debut in 2020 and has also played five Tests. He hasn’t played for Pakistan in ODIs as of yet.

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