Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique, currently out of favour in Test and T20I squads, has secured a multi-format contract with Yorkshire for the ongoing county season.
Shafique will be available for Yorkshire's County Championship matches against Nottinghamshire (starting June 22) and Essex (from June 29). Following these fixtures, he will remain with the squad to feature in Yorkshire's final four group matches of the 2025 T20 Blast, until July 18.
The Pakistani batter comes fresh from a title-winning Pakistan Super League campaign with Lahore Qalandars, where he scored 390 runs at an average of 32.50 and an impressive strike rate of 148.28.
"I'm immensely pleased to be afforded this opportunity with Yorkshire and I'm eager to join up with the team ahead of a big game against Nottinghamshire," said Shafique in a statement released by Yorkshire.
"Headingley is a venue I’ve always wanted to play at and I’m excited to experience a Roses fixture which I’ve already heard will have an incredible atmosphere! There is so much history at this Club, and I hope I can contribute on the pitch at what is a very important period of the season for the team."
YCCC is delighted to announce the signing of Pakistan international Abdullah Shafique ✍️
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) June 16, 2025
The top order batter will be available for selection ahead of this weekend's Rothesay County Championship game against Nottinghamshire.
Read more 👉 https://t.co/j56sjiPpiH pic.twitter.com/JvLmf3CWmp
Shafique’s signing comes just days after the club drafted in Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad for the remainder of the County Championship and the One-Day Cup.
What are Shafique's international numbers?
Shafique has represented Pakistan in 22 Tests, scoring 1,504 runs at an average of 38.56, including five centuries and five fifties. After a strong start – 1,220 runs at 50.83 in his first 14 matches – his form declined sharply, managing just 284 runs in his next eight Tests at 18.93. This slump led to his eventual omission from the squad.
His most recent appearance for Pakistan came during the home series against England in October, after which he was overlooked for the subsequent Test series in South Africa and against the West Indies at home.
In T20Is, Shafique has played six matches to date, with his most recent appearance coming against Afghanistan in October 2023. His highest score remains an unbeaten 41.
In ODIs, despite a breakthrough 113 in just his fifth match during a stellar chase at the 2023 World Cup, he has struggled to maintain consistency. With 682 runs at an average of 31 in the format, his place came under scrutiny after a poor run during South Africa's tour - where he registered three consecutive ducks followed by scores of 36, 1, and 33 in New Zealand. This dip in form ultimately cost him his spot in Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad.
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