Saud Shakeel opens up after winning POTM award
The left-handed batter scored 68 runs
Pakistan's middle-order batter Saud Shakeel opened up after grabbing the Player of the Match (POTM) award for his heroics against the Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday.
Shakeel, who was making his World Cup debut, scored an important knock of 68 runs off 52, which included 10 boundaries, with an impressive 130.77 strike rate.
The 28-year-old came to bat when Pakistan were 3-38 in just 9.1 overs and were struggling but Saud played with composure and scored runs quickly — completing his half-century in just 32 balls — to get his side in a good position.
In the process, he built a crucial 120-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan before finally getting out for 68 runs in the 29th over.
Talking in a post-match ceremony, the 28-year-old opened up on his second ODI fifty saying that he stayed positive and scored runs.
"Very pleased. Tried to follow my basics and be positive to score for my team. Nerves was there as we'd lost three wickets. I was lucky to get early boundaries," Shakeel said.
"We discussed that the pressure would transfer if we scored, which did happen. The last 2-3 months, I've been working hard. I knew I'd be batting at No. 5, so I tried to improve my shots, attacking options and be brave. The coaching staff has given me confidence."
He also stated that as long as boundaries are coming, he doesn't care if its a pacer or a spinner.
It must be noted that Pakistan started their World Cup 2023 campaign on a high note after beating the Netherlands by 81 runs.
Pakistan gave a competitive 287-run target which the Dutch couldn't chase and were all out for 205 runs.
Left-handed opener Vikramjit Singh and all-rounder Bas de Leede top-scored for their side with 52 and 67 runs respectively.
All of Pakistan's six bowlers picked up wickets with Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf taking three and Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed grabbing one each.
The Green Shirts will now play Sri Lanka on October 10 at the same venue.
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