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Abdullah Shafique Secures Place in Pakistan Squad for England Test Series After West Indies Success

Pakistan batter Abdullah Shafique has earned his spot in the national squad for the upcoming Test series against England after delivering a decisive batting display in the West Indies. The 26-year-old top-order batter showcased his form with a century that guided Pakistan to a comprehensive victory in Port of Spain.

What Happened

Abdullah Shafique was brought into Pakistan’s squad in the West Indies following a lower-back injury sustained by Abdullah Fazal during a training session at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Elevated to the number three batting position for the first time in his Test career during the second Test at Port of Spain, Shafique struck an unbeaten 160 in the first innings and added 24 not out in the fourth innings. His batting anchored Pakistan to an eight-wicket win, marking his first Test hundred since October 2024 and standing as a historic milestone for Pakistan batters in the Caribbean.

Key Highlights

  • Standout Numbers: Shafique posted scores of 160 not out and 24 not out during the second Test victory at Port of Spain.
  • Positional Shift: The Port of Spain fixture marked the first occasion Shafique played at the number three spot in Test cricket.
  • Form Turnaround: The performance followed a challenging run where Shafique averaged 20.52 in Test cricket between December 2023 and October 2025.
  • Preparation: Prior to the international matches, Shafique featured in the President’s Trophy Grade-II Gold tournament across four different venues with seaming and spinning tracks.
  • English Experience: Shafique played a County Championship match for Yorkshire last summer, giving him prior exposure to conditions at Headingley.

Why This Matters

Shafique’s return to form addresses a difficult stretch where he struggled for consistency between late 2023 and late 2025. His successful adjustment to the number three position provides Pakistan with tactical flexibility ahead of a challenging tour. Pakistan has not secured a Test series victory on English soil across the last three decades, having last registered consecutive series wins there in 1987, 1992, and 1996.

What to Watch Next

Pakistan will travel to England to compete in a Test series scheduled to take place at three iconic venues: Headingley (Leeds), Lord’s, and Edgbaston. Shafique, who previously played home Test series against England in 2022 and 2024, will aim to adapt his recent domestic and international momentum to English conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Abdullah Shafique get selected for the West Indies tour?

Shafique was drafted into the squad after Abdullah Fazal suffered a lower-back injury during training at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

What position did Shafique bat in the Port of Spain Test?

Shafique batted at number three for the first time in his Test career during the second Test at Port of Spain.

What are the venues for the upcoming Pakistan vs England Test series?

The Test matches will be held at Headingley in Leeds, Lord’s in London, and Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Source: Crictracker / PCB Media