Abdullah Shafique celebrating his century [Source: AFP]Fortune favours the brave, and it seems like the phrase sits best for the Pakistan star Abdullah Shafique. Someone who wasn’t in the limelight just a few days ago has now made an unprecedented record for Pakistan cricket as a batter.Abdullah Shafique entered the Pakistan vs West Indies Test series on the back of nothing. After Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of the Test series due to a persistent back injury, doors were opened for a cricketer who last played Test cricket in 2025 and has been an inconsistent figure for the Men in Green. With his latest first-time-ever record for Pakistan, Abdullah has now made a strong case for his No. 3 batting position while scripting his dream comeback in red-ball cricket.Abdullah Shafique records the highest score by a Pakistani No. 3 batter in Tests in WISignificantly, Shafique has now become the first-ever batter to score 160 runs on West Indies soil as a Pakistan No. 3 batter after breaking Saeed Ahmed’s 68-year-old record. Notably, Saeed Ahmed scored 150 runs way back in 1958. This remained the best-ever outing by a Pakistani number 3 batter in Tests in the West Indies for 68 years until Abdullah Shafique broke his record in the second Test against West Indies at the Queen's Park Oval. Abdullah created this record as Shan Masood was ruled out of the 2nd Test due to injury, which opened the door for him to get in after the opening pair.Highest Test scores for Pakistan at no. 3 in West IndiesAbdullah Shafique: 160 runs*Saeed Ahmed: 150 runsShan Masood: 109 runsYounis Khan: 106 runsZaheer Abbas: 80 runsUsually, Abdullah’s natural batting position is the opening slot. In Tests, he has opened in 46 Test innings, and this was only the first time he played as a No. 3 batter. However, with this opportunity, he scripted a record on Caribbean soil, surpassing legends like Saeed Ahmed, Babar Azam and Younis Khan. Shafique’s record was important since, with the bat, Shafique helped Pakistan regain control over the match.After Imam-ul-Haq’s early wicket in the 8th over, he anchored the game with Azan Awais and Babar Azam and later also paired with Sajid Khan for 59 runs to keep the innings going, ultimately helping the Men in Green gain a lead of 43 runs in the 1st innings.Also Read- Dropped As Pakistan Captain, Shan Masood Hits Back At PCB With Historic CenturyAbdullah Shafique’s dream re-entry in Pakistan Test setupShafique first represented his nation back in 2021 against Bangladesh and bagged a score of 150 in the series. It was an early promise where he was paired with players like Abid Ali to open and help settle the team down. In 2022, he was again consistent against Sri Lanka, Australia and England, averaging 51.44 and had a solid 2023 season as well.However, it was the 2024 outings that marked him falling out of favour. The Australia, Bangladesh and England outings saw only one century and a poor average of 15.82, with Saim Ayub coming into the setup as an opener.Inconsistency with the bat had him out of the batting scenario, and youngsters slowly replaced the opening Test spots, until now. Abdullah Fazal’s untimely rule-out recalled him into the squad; however, it was Shan Masood’s absence that truly pushed his chance, now, not as an opener, but at No. 3.A new beginning for Abdullah Shafique?Shafique’s re-entry and the unbeaten 160 against West Indies speak a lot about the determination of the 26-year-old, who failed to impress in PSL 2026 and the Global Super League as well. Although Abdullah has always shone as an opener, the new No. 3 chance is acting as a golden chance for the batter, and if he proves his worth with another striking innings in the second half of the match, he might as well be given a long rope by the Pakistan Cricket Board.Shan Masood is primarily the No. 3 batter for Pakistan, and he has been doing well with his averages. Masood is in consistent form too and would not like to be replaced anytime soon, if only for injuries. Although Abdullah Shafique cherished the sudden opportunity for his team, replacing a senior veteran in the Playing XI will take more time and better efforts from the 1610 Test run-getter.Also Read- Babar Azam Misses 100, KL Rahul Trains And Shaheen Returns- August 4 Cricket Highlights
