Confident Shafique looks to ace the England challenge

Abdullah Shafique stood tall for Pakistan and helped them level the series in Port of Spain after the side had lost the first Test by 90 runs. He scored an unbeaten 160 in the first innings and followed it up with 24* in the fourth innings to secure Pakistan an eight-wicket win.

His century in the first innings was his first hundred since October 2024, and also the first score of 150-plus by a Pakistan batter in the West Indies since 1977.

Abdullah Shafique celebrates his hundred at Port of Spain. // Getty Images

Included in the squad for the West Indies owing to an injury to Abdullah Fazal, Shafique has now also sealed his place for the upcoming England Tests, which will also be a part of the ICC World Test Championship.

And the 26-year-old is fairly confident of his chances against a quality English side.

“I’ve played one game for Yorkshire in the County Championship last summer and feel confident about adjusting to the conditions at Leeds,” Shafique told PCB Media when discussing the venue for the first Test.”

After a spree of success in England towards the end of last century, when they won three successive Test series in the country (1987, 1992, 1996), Pakistan haven’t managed to win a single series in the country over the last three decades.

Shafique, who might don the role of a No.3 batter after having found success at the position in the West Indies, would have a crucial role to play in Pakistan’s campaign. 

“I’ve faced England a few times at home (2022 and 2024) and this away series against them will be an exciting challenge,” Shafique added that he was looking forward to the task.

Incidentally the Port of Spain Test was the first-ever time that Shafique donned the No.3 role in Tests and aced the challenge with aplomb. But the ground-work for that success was laid in Pakistan’s domestic President’s Trophy Grade-II Gold tournament, in which Shafique featured.

“President’s Trophy Grade-II really helped me get to where I am today as I played in seaming and spin-friendly conditions across four venues, toiling under the peak summer sun and scoring valuable runs under pressure for my team.”

Before his West Indies heroics, Abdullah had endured an indifferent run in Test cricket, averaging 20.52 from December 2023 to October 2025.

His captain during the domestic tournament was Pakistan international Hasan Nawaz who had high praise for Abdullah’s work ethics and determination that helped him turn the tide.

“The plan in Grade-II was for Abdullah to bat through the innings and it was pleasing to see him remain not out in both innings of his comeback game. I’m glad that mindset has stuck with him at the top level. 

“Abdullah spoke to me about the areas he wanted to improve in his game by playing red-ball cricket. He spent long hours in the nets throughout the tournament and looked after his fitness routines well.”

Pakistan’s three-game series against England begins on 19 August.

Series schedule

First Test: August 19–23, Headingley
Second Test: August 27–31, Lord's
Third Test: September 9–13, Edgbaston