Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has set huge expectations from left-handed batter Saud Shakeel. The ex-cricketer strongly believes that the 27-year-old will be in the league of superstars like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in the next three to four years. Akmal has been mighty impressed by Shakeel's performance and said that Shakeel's imperious start to international cricket is an ominous sign for Pakistan.
"I am looking at Saud from a different angle. I am considering him in the league, which includes big names like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, and other five to six players," Akmal was quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
"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.
"So, 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," the former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter said.
Shakeel has played seven Test matches for Pakistan thus far and his record is impeccable. The southpaw has aggregated 875 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 87.50. He has smashed two centuries and six half-centuries in red-ball cricket for Pakistan. Shakeel recently slammed his maiden Test double century during Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka in 2023.
He has also played five ODIs, scoring just 67 runs. Shakeel has a First-Class average of 54.09 in 67 matches played.
He has smashed 17 centuries and 24 fifties. The left-handed batter only made his Test debut for Pakistan in December 2022 and in just eight or so months, Shakeel has emerged as one of the reliable batters for Pakistan in red-ball cricket.
Shakeel is expected to cool down and his average is bound to take a hit. That is just the nature of the sport. If he continues to produce match-winning performances, Shakeel will soon stamp himself as the superstar of Pakistan cricket.
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