SL vs PAK: Saud Shakeel gears up for maiden away series after impressive start to Test career

Saud Shakeel, the talented left-handed batter from Pakistan, is gearing up for his first away Test series after a remarkable debut season at home. With some gritty knocks, he has cemented his place in the team in the longest format of the game as an important player and is looking forward to doing well as Pakistan are all set to take on Sri Lanka.

In his very first Test against England in Rawalpindi, Saud showcased his skills with a gritty fourth-innings knock of 76 runs. He followed it up with an impressive 94 in Multan, falling just short of a century. Saud then achieved a major milestone in his career by scoring his maiden Test century in Karachi against New Zealand, playing a patient innings of 125*.

Consistency has been a hallmark of Saud's performances, with six out of his ten innings seeing him score 50 or more runs. As he prepares for his first away Tests, Saud has been honing his skills in training camps held in Lahore and Karachi. These camps have provided him with the necessary tools to counter spin on turning tracks, a challenge he is likely to face in Sri Lanka.

“We have had good preparations leading into this series with camps in Lahore and Karachi,” Saud told PCB Digital. 

During his preparations, Saud has focused on enhancing his sweep shots, which he considers his strength. He has developed a range of sweeps, including the paddle sweep, the full-fledged sweep behind or in front of square, and the slog sweep. Saud's premeditated approach to these shots ensures that he reaches the pitch of the ball and maintains the correct head position. 

Reflecting on Pakistan's successful chase of 342 in Galle last year, Saud emphasized the importance of playing attacking shots against spinners to shift the pressure onto the opposition.“We chased 350 (342) in Galle last year, which looked an impossible task, but our plan was to go for runs and it put the opposition under pressure,” he said.

He has been seeking advice from Abdullah Shafique, a key player in that historic chase, to gain valuable insights into playing in Sri Lankan conditions.

Although this will be Saud's first Test series away from home, he is not short on experience. His extensive domestic cricket career and representation of Pakistan 'A' side has provided him with valuable exposure. Saud captained the Shaheens during their tour of Dambulla, where he showcased his skills with an impressive knock of 118 in an unofficial Test match.

As Saud prepares for his maiden away Test series, his impressive performances and dedication to improvement make him an exciting prospect for Pakistan's batting line-up. Pakistan cricket fans eagerly await his performance as he faces the challenges posed by Sri Lanka on their home turf.