PAK vs NZ: Pakistan's Saud Shakeel To Represent Yorkshire In The County Championship

English County Championship was once considered the apex of domestic cricket around the world. The series still sees many international stars play in it, mostly to improve their game in English conditions. The latest Asian player to join the tournament is Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel, who will be joining the Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC).

Karachi-born Shakeel has played five Tests and as many ODIs. He caught global attention when he scored five-50s in his first 5 Test appearances. He has scored 4,773 runs in 62 first-class career matches to date, including 16 hundreds, averaging 54.23.

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YCCC released an official statement, wherein they announced that they have signed Saud for a short-term appearance contract.

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“Shakeel, 27, will be available for selection for the second County Championship game against Gloucestershire at Bristol next week and will be one of the Club’s overseas players, joining Shai Hope in the squad,” YCCC statement read.

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His initial contract will see the Pakistan batter be available for a four-game spell in Division Two of the County Championship, with scope for an extension.

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YCCC Managing Director Darren Gough outlined how they want to bring in experienced players to play along with young players in their squad.

“He (Saud Shakeel) did well against England and New Zealand – and here at Yorkshire we want to get the balance right between youth and experience and we now feel we have got a squad where we have plenty of opportunities for everyone,” he said

Finishing ninth out of ten in the First Division 2022 County Championship, Yorkshire were relegated to the Second Division for the 2023 season.

Saud Shakeel shined in Pakistan’s Test match series against New Zealand last winter

Saud Shakeel impressed onlookers when he was part of Pakistan’s squad against New Zealand in a two-Test series last winter.

The two matches, players from 26-30 December 2022 and 2-6 January 2023 saw the 27-year-old score a century and a half-century.

The first Test saw Saud score 55 in the second innings. This, however, was lost in the shuffle due to 161 scored by Babar Azam in the 1st innings, and a double-ton scored by Kane Williamson.

The 2nd match saw Shakeel score a ton. He was the highest single-inning run scorer in a match that saw 3 centuries being scored.

Also read: PAK vs NZ: New Zealand ODI Squad For Pakistan Tour Announced, Tom Latham To Captain The Kiwis

Saud Shakeel will look to star in Pakistan’s tour to Sri Lanka in the summer, and Australia in December, the only Test matches the Men in Green will play this year. He would also aim to be a part of Pak’s squad for the ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

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