Watch: Pakistan’s century hero in Galle Test, Abdullah Shafique, crooning ‘Aye Khuda’

Much like his soulful batting though, Shafique has a soulful voice that has mesmerised Pakistan fans. His singing videos are big in Pakistan and across the cricket social media landscape. Here’s one of him crooning ‘Aye Khuda’ from the Bollywood movie, Murder 2 (2011).

Shafique’s favorite, as he had expressed on social media, is Tera Mera Rishta Purana by Mustafa Zahid from the movie Awarapan (2007). He had posted a video of him singing the song and playing the guitar back in 2020.

The young opener from Sialkot scored 397 runs across the three Tests in his first series at home against Australia and is someone who likes to take his time in the middle, having played almost triple the number of deliveries than his runs.

Hmm! So @imabd28 has all the tricks!
Pakistani fans will be singing this song with Abdullah Shafique today if Pak wins vs Sri Lanka
So far it’s been a mammoth effort from the youngster. #PAKvsSL #SLvPAK #Cricket #CricketTwitter #AbdullahShafique https://t.co/BfO6p098sH

— Talk Before Wicket (@TalkBWicket) July 20, 2022

The Pakistan opener batted his side to a win in Galle in the first of the two Tests vs Sri Lanka as he helped his team chase down 352 against the home side that had very recently beat the number 1 team in the World Test Championship points table at this very venue. Even in this innings, Shafique took his time and was slow and patient in the business of runs scoring, much like his singing. His 160* off 408 deliveries saw him attain an average of 80 after his sixth Test.

Of course, the videos of him singing and playing the guitar will trend in Pakistan and on the cricket social media with his player of the match exploits.