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Friday February 14, 2025

Saud sees no reason to alter winning combination for 2nd Test

By Abdul Mohi Shah
January 24, 2025
Pakistan´s Saud Shakeel plays a shot during the 2023 ICC Men´s Cricket World Cup ODI match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on October 10, 2023. — AFP
Pakistan´s Saud Shakeel plays a shot during the 2023 ICC Men´s Cricket World Cup ODI match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on October 10, 2023. — AFP

ISLAMABAD: Saud Shakeel saw no reason to tamper with Pakistan’s winning formula as on Thursday he hinted at retaining the same playing XI for the second Test against the West Indies.

Speaking to the media at Multan Stadium, the Test vice-captain expressed confidence in the team that clinched victory in the series opener. “The conditions for the second Test, starting tomorrow (Saturday), appear similar to those in the first game. Unless there’s an injury or illness, there’s no need to alter the winning combination,” Saud stated.

Reports coming from Multan suggest that the pitch for the second Test mirrors the surface used in the opening match, which saw Pakistan dictate their terms from the start. Saud emphasized the significance of a strong first-innings performance, especially on spinning tracks.

“The first innings is pivotal. A solid total can help apply pressure on the opposition. That’s what worked for us in the first Test. Our focus will be on capitalizing early and gaining a significant lead.” Addressing the lack of big individual scores in the first Test, Saud noted the challenges posed by the turning pitch.

“It’s never easy to post massive scores on such surfaces but contributions in bits and pieces can make a huge difference,” he said. Whether Pakistan’s domestic cricket should adopt similar pitches, Saud shared his thoughts.

“There’s no harm in preparing such tracks domestically. We already encounter sharp turners in club cricket, and playing to our strengths is logical. As professionals, we should be prepared for any surface.”

Saud, who recently broke into the ICC’s top 10 Test batsmen rankings, played down personal accolades, emphasizing team success over individual milestones. “It’s always about the team. I’m thrilled when my efforts contribute to a victory. Individual achievements are secondary,” he concluded. Pakistan will look to secure the series with another commanding performance in Multan, relying on their proven strategy and unwavering confidence.