Abdullah Shafique Escapes Dismissal in Rawalpindi Test as UltraEdge Reveals Stunning Reprieve with Ball Hitting Stumps | Cricket

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Abdullah Shafique Escapes Dismissal in Rawalpindi Test as UltraEdge Reveals Stunning Reprieve with Ball Hitting Stumps | Cricket

In the second and final Test match of the home series against South Africa, Pakistan made a strong start on Monday. Despite losing opener Imam-ul-Haq for 17 runs, the team managed to reach 95 for one at the end of the first session. This was largely due to a resilient partnership between captain Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique, who remained unbeaten with a 60-run second-wicket stand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Abdullah Shafique’s Lucky Escapes

During the innings, Abdullah Shafique had several close calls but managed to stay at the crease. He was dropped twice and had a moment of fortune when a delivery hit the stumps without dislodging the bails. This incident occurred in the sixth over when left-arm pacer Marco Jansen bowled a fuller delivery that seamed in. Shafique attempted to drive but missed, and the ball, while close, did not hit the inside edge as it passed harmlessly to the keeper.

Close Calls and Drops

  • In the opening over, Shafique edged a delivery from Kagiso Rabada to third slip, but Tristan Stubbs could not hold on.
  • In the 10th over, Shafique attempted a flick off Keshav Maharaj, resulting in a leading edge that the bowler nearly caught, but it slipped through his hands.

Match Context and Team Changes

Pakistan entered the match leading the series 1-0 following a victory in Lahore. The team made just one change to their lineup, introducing 39-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, who was making his Test debut after a six-month ban for spot-fixing. He replaced Abrar Ahmed, complementing regular spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan.

South Africa, on their part, bolstered their bowling attack by including Maharaj, who had missed the first Test due to fitness issues. They also added Marco Jansen, replacing Wiaan Mulder in the lineup.