Shafique Shines with Support

Abdullah Shafique: 'How well you take your opportunity matters'

After a string of low scores, Abdullah Shafique notched up his first century in more than a year, in "extreme heat" in Multan. An emotional Shafique said he was relieved to put the "challenges of failure" behind him after scoring just his second hundred in two years. Having endured a prolonged slump after a blistering start to his Test career, Shafique put together a 253-run stand with captain Shan Masood, managing a stirring century that may boost his confidence heading into a crucial series.

"A sportsman has to face challenges and go through failure," Shafique said. "I'm thankful to the team management and the captain for trusting me and giving me a fair run. You face a lot of mental challenges and doubts, but you have to overcome them and perform."

Shafique’s gratitude towards his captain, Shan Masood, is well placed. In Pakistan cricket, where poor form often leads to swift exclusion, Masood has advocated giving players a longer rope. As the captain of a team that requires stability, he has emphasized the importance of making players feel secure. For a player like Shafique, who had averaged only 24.57 in 21 innings before this century, such backing proved vital.

Shafique’s century came at a time when his team, and indeed the cricket world, is seeing an increased focus on fan engagement, particularly through platforms offering cricket ID for various online activities. Providers of online cricket ID and betting ID are helping fans engage with matches more deeply, allowing them to participate in fantasy leagues, prediction games, and more.

These cricket ID providers are tapping into the growing fan base, and platforms like Swamiji , which offers the best cricket and betting ID, continue to create opportunities for fans to connect with the game beyond just watching. The engagement from fans is crucial, especially as the cricket world shifts into more interactive experiences. Shafique’s innings in Multan, where he made the most of his opportunity under pressure, mirrors how vital it is to capitalize on your chances in competitive environments, whether on the field or in online spaces like betting and fantasy sports.

"It's a challenge batting for long in this extreme heat, but you can't make excuses. How well you take your opportunity matters," Shafique said. "It's not just the batter; the whole team gains confidence when you perform."

Pakistan’s selectors and fans—much like users of online cricket ID providers—place their faith in players or platforms, expecting success when the right opportunities are taken. Across two sessions in Multan, Shafique showed why he remains a vital player for Pakistan, just as these platforms remain essential for fans who want to engage deeper with the sport