Another Pakistan batter vs Virat Kohli comparison! This time it is Saud Shakeel

Kamran Akmal believes Saud Shakeel will be in the same league as Virat Kohli and Babar Azam.

Another Pakistan batter vs Virat Kohli comparison! This time it is Saud Shakeel

Virat Kohli, Saud Shakeel (Images via ESPNCricinfo, News18)

Ex-Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal believes that 27-year-old Saud Shakeel could reach the level of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in a few years. Akmal backs the left-handed batter to make it big. Left-handed batsman Saud Shakeel has had an impressive start to his Test career, debuting in 2022 in Rawalpindi against England. In 3 match series, he had scored 346 runs, averaging 54.67.

In his debut game, he scored 76 in the 2nd innings. His highest score was 94 in the 2nd innings of the 2nd Test. In that same Test, he had scored 63 in the first innings. In the final Test, he scored yet another half-century in the 2nd innings. Although Pakistan lost that series 3-0, Pakistan fans and pundits were excited as they believed Pakistan had now found a perfect Test player for their future.

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“I am looking at Saud from a different angle” Akmal said. “I am considering him in the league, which includes big names like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, and other five to six players. This is a good sign for Pakistan cricket when any batsman displays excellent batting performance, that too at an early age in early Test cricket.”

“He[Saud] should be reaching near these players in the next three to four years – given the performance he has showcased, particularly when the circumstances were difficult,” added Akmal.

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Saud Shakeel missed Asia Cup ticket despite phenomenal numbers

Saud Shakeel
Saud Shakeel (Image via News18)

Not just in home Tests, but Saud also showed his class on Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka. Playing in away conditions for the first time, Saud scored 208 runs in Pakistan’s first innings after Sri Lanka put up 312 runs in the first innings. Pakistan ultimately won the game with Saud scoring another crucial 30 runs while chasing 130 on a tough Day 5 pitch in Galle. In the 2nd Test, he scored yet another half-century as Pakistan won the Test by an inning and 222 runs.

Saud Shakeel currently averages 87.50 after playing 13 innings. Saud currently plays for Yorkshire in the English County Championship as well. But despite these phenomenal numbers, Shakeel won’t be playing in the Asia Cup.

Although Saud is a member of the ODI squad for the three-match series against Afghanistan, he failed to get a place in Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and there’s a good chance he might miss the 2023 ODI World Cup as well. But there’s one thing for sure and it’s that Saud will surely have a long Test Career.

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