Virat Kohli needs no introduction to the game. It will not be a wrong statement to say that he is probably the biggest cricket icon in the world at the moment. The former Indian captain has tasted immense success across formats throughout his career, which is just a dream for a cricketer.
On the other hand, Babar Azam is another cricketer who is going down the same path. The last 2-3 years saw an incredible turnaround for the Pakistan skipper, and he has established himself as the best batter across formats at the moment.
These two cricket icons are widely regarded as the best in business. However, there is another Pakistan’s youngster who has announced himself at the highest level with a bang. We are talking about Saud Shakeel, who has scored 50 or more in all seven tests of his career so far.
With this, he has become the only cricketer to do so in the almost 150-year history of test cricket. Former Pakistan star Kamran Akmal also feels that Shakeel is in the league of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam and will become a big superstar in the coming 3–4 years.
In an interview with Cricket Pakistan, Akmal made a bold claim about Shakeel’s capability. Akmal said, “I am considering Shakeel in the league, which includes big names like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. He should be reaching for these players in the next three to four years.”
The 27-year-old has played 7 tests so far and scored 875 runs at an incredible average of 87.5, with two centuries and six half-centuries. He recently scored 208 against Sri Lanka, last month. He finished with 275 runs in three innings at an average of 147.5 and helped Pakistan register a 2-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka. His performance has earned him a place in Pakistan’s ODI squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.
