The term cricket wall has been used continuously in the past decade and India’s great batsman Bazarrahel Dravid was called the ‘Indian Wall’. Dravid’s special thing was that he would freeze on reaching the wicket and take over one end, which not only gave the team stability but also kept the pace of the other batsmen on the other side.
There have been many batsmen in the lower middle order in the Pakistan team in the last 20 years, but there was a lack of consistency in their game. Especially after the departure of Asad Shafiq, the team was in dire need of an anchor batsman who could have a long partnership with the tail-enders.
Now comes a batsman who has both staying power and composure. He doesn’t panic in critical batting situations, he knows what to do when he gets to the wicket.
Although Saud’s career is just beginning and the number of matches is also less, but seeing his dedication and focus batting, the commentators have started calling him the ‘Wall of Pakistan’.
Pakistan’s middle order has been suffering from a worrisome situation for the past several years, but now it seems that if Saud Shakeel’s continuity continues, the shortfall will be made up to a large extent.
Saud Shakeel has won the hearts of cricket fans by scoring a magnificent 208 unbeaten runs in the Galle Test and experts are calling him the new Younis Khan.
Saud Shakeel was born in 1995 in Karachi. Due to his environment and surrounding atmosphere, he moved to the batting department. From an early age, his love for cricket became the basis of his skills
Former captain Sarfraz Ahmed says that once when he was practicing with the KCCA team, a small child came to the net practice wearing a helmet, pads and other clothes. And started playing the dangerous bowlers of Karachi. Sarfraz saw what he saw and shouted from a distance, ‘This is a child. The ball will hit.’
But when he saw his style and skill, he was surprised. Left-handed Saud was playing fast bowlers twice his age beautifully.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
From Karachi Gymkhana to National Team
Given his excellent performance in club cricket, when he was selected in Pakistan’s squad for the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2014, no one was surprised as he outperformed all the young batsmen at that time.
Saud Shakeel got an opportunity to start his first-class career for Karachi in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 2015 due to his good performance in club cricket, but he could not retain his place. Looking for an opportunity, he joined the PTV team in Islamabad where former Test cricketer and chief selector Muhammad Wasim was impressed with his skills.
It was Mohammad Wasim who first included Saud Shakeel in the Test series against South Africa in 2021, but he could not be replaced in the presence of Fawad Alam.
Saud Shakeel, however, got an opportunity in 2021 in an ODI in Cardiff, England. He couldn’t do anything in the first match, but managed to score a half-century at Lord’s.
He has played five ODIs so far.
His career in Test cricket began against England in Rawalpindi, where he managed to score a half-century on debut in the second innings.
Saud Shakeel’s unique records
When Saud Shakeel reached 141 runs in the recent Galle Test, he became Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in the first 11 innings. Javed Mian Dad and Saeed Anwar are also behind him in this list.
He is the highest run-scorer in the first six Tests after Sunil Gavaskar and Don Bradman.
He has played an innings of more than 50 runs in all his matches so far which is a unique record.
Cheek test
In the Galle Test, Saud came to bat at a time when the team was in trouble, half the team had returned and Sri Lanka’s pressure was on. In this way, he shared a record sixth-wicket partnership with Salman Ali Agha. Both of them scored 177 runs together and brought the team to a safe place.
Saud Shakeel’s beat did not stop even after that. Salman was dismissed for 83 runs, but Saud first put on a partnership of 52 runs with Nouman Ali and then another record partnership of 96 runs with Naseem Shah.
Saud Shakeel took charge of scoring runs himself and did not waste any opportunity to score runs by playing every ball on merit.
Saud Shakeel entered his name in the record book by scoring a double century. He is the first Pakistani to score a double century in Sri Lanka, while playing at number five, he is the first player to score a double century.
Saud Shakeel scored a double century off 352 balls with the help of 19 fours. The last double century by Pakistan was scored by Azhar Ali in Australia in 2016.
Pakistan has taken complete control of the match thanks to Saud Shakeel’s marathon innings double century on the third day of the Galle Test.
Pakistan were bowled out for 461 runs in their first innings. Thus, Pakistan has taken a total lead of 149 runs and now it has become a challenge for Sri Lanka to save this test.
The hero of Pakistan’s innings was Saud Shakeel who scored 208 runs and did not get out, his innings will be remembered by the fans for years.
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**Interview with Cricket Expert on Saud Shakeel: The rising ‘Wall of Pakistan’**
**Editor**: Today we have with us cricket expert, Anwar Malik, to discuss the impressive rise of Saud Shakeel, who is being hailed as the ‘Wall of Pakistan’. Anwar, thank you for joining us.
**Anwar Malik**: Thank you for having me!
**Editor**: Saud Shakeel has drawn comparisons to India’s Bazarrahel Dravid with his playing style. What do you think makes him deserving of this nickname?
**Anwar Malik**: Saud Shakeel embodies the qualities that made Dravid the ‘Indian Wall’. He has displayed remarkable composure and an ability to anchor the innings, which is vital for Pakistan’s middle order. His unique knack for building partnerships, particularly with the tail-enders, sets him apart.
**Editor**: Fans were particularly impressed by his unbeaten 208 runs in the recent Galle Test. What does this innings signify for his career?
**Anwar Malik**: That innings has catapulted him into the spotlight. It demonstrates not only his skill but also his mindset in high-pressure situations. Scoring a double century when the team was struggling speaks volumes about his temperament and potential.
**Editor**: He seems to have filled a crucial void in the Pakistani middle order. How critical is his contribution to the team’s stability?
**Anwar Malik**: It’s hugely significant. Pakistan has been searching for a consistent anchor in the middle order since Asad Shafiq’s departure. Saud’s presence gives the team a sense of security, allowing other batsmen to play their natural game without the constant fear of losing wickets.
**Editor**: What are your impressions of Saud’s journey in cricket? His background and early experiences?
**Anwar Malik**: His journey is fascinating. Growing up in Karachi, Saud’s love for cricket was nurtured through his environment. His early exposure, notably against bowlers much older than him, shaped his skills and confidence. His selection for the U-19 World Cup was no surprise given his impressive performances back then.
**Editor**: His records indicate a promising start. What stands out to you about his numbers so far?
**Anwar Malik**: It’s quite remarkable. He has become Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in the first 11 innings, surpassing legends like Javed Miandad and Saeed Anwar. Additionally, his ability to score more than 50 runs in every match he has played so far underscores his consistency and reliability.
**Editor**: Lastly, what can we expect from Saud Shakeel moving forward? Can he maintain this level of performance?
**Anwar Malik**: If he continues to focus and improve, I see no reason why he can’t maintain this form. The pressure will build as expectations rise, but if he can stay grounded and keep working hard, he has the potential to become one of the key figures in Pakistani cricket for years to come.
**Editor**: Thank you, Anwar, for sharing your insights on Saud Shakeel, the man who is quickly becoming a cornerstone of Pakistani cricket.
**Anwar Malik**: My pleasure! Let’s hope to see him reach even greater heights.
