Shakeel stands out with 175 runs as teammates struggle

The third Test of the England‑Pakistan series in Birmingham saw Pakistan tumble to 133 all out in the first innings, extending their losing run after two defeats.

Amid the collapse, Saud Shakeel emerged as the sole beacon of consistency, scoring 175 runs across four innings—a tally unmatched by any of his colleagues, none of whom have reached a century in the series.

Shakeel reflected on the team's repeated mistakes, saying, "We are delivering the same errors over and over. It is demoralising when wickets fall at regular intervals."

He highlighted the psychological component, insisting that confidence is essential for survival at the highest level. "If you lack the self‑assurance to compete here, you simply do not belong," he warned.

The Pakistani top five batsmen all failed to get past ten runs, a first for the side in an English Test innings. Shakeel’s highest individual score remains 43, yet his steady accumulation helped keep Pakistan from a total collapse.

Commenting on the conditions, Shakeel noted that the initial pitch offered assistance to bowlers, especially with a cloudy sky and a fresh ball that troubled England’s own top order. "As the Test progresses the surface will improve, but early on the bowlers had the upper hand," he explained.

He concluded by emphasizing adaptability: "I try to play according to what the situation demands, maximizing runs when wickets tumble around me."

Shakeel also praised the effort of the bowlers, acknowledging that their support kept Pakistan competitive despite the batting failures.