The left-handed Pakistan batsman, Saud Shakeel, is making headlines due to peculiar reasons. Being new to International cricket, Shakeel has played only 3 ODIs yet. He made his debut in the recently concluded ENG vs PAK ODI series. He is being called Pakistan’s Virat Kohli due to similarities in looks with the Indian captain.
Shakeel was handy with the bat for Pakistan in the 2nd ODI. England had posted a seemingly low total of 247 on the board. Although the total looked small, the English bowlers gave a good start to the team by picking up early wickets.
Pakistan was in a tense situation, the visitors were reduced to 36-3. And that’s when Pakistan’s Virat Kohli came in to bat. The southpaw settled in nicely and played some good shots as well.
Shakeel played a controlled knock of 56 runs in 77 balls, it was not enough to win the match though. He held up on one end but the wickets kept falling on the other. Though the batsman batted beautifully, he is gaining popularity due to his looks, rather than his batting.
The cricketing world might not have yet been able to witness Kohli’s 71st International ton but got to see a Virat Kohli from Pakistan for sure.
Twitterati went buzzing about the similarities in the looks of Virat Kohli and Saud Shakeel
The cricket fans have been operative on Twitter, posting their thoughts about the resemblance of the looks of the two players. Some said that Saud Shakeel is looking like Kohli from the early days while other’s said Virat Kohli himself has come to rescue Pakistan from the difficult situation.
A fan posted a picture of Saud Shakeel batting and said that Virat Kohli has come to Pakistan in the search of his 71st International century.
Yet another fan tweeted that while everyone is busy watching football, Virat Kohli has come to play for Pakistan.
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While the India Captain is enjoying his day-offs with his family, he has unknowingly become the reason behind the popularity of Saud Shakeel. Virat Kohli will next be seen playing in August in the 5 match test series against England. The series starts on August 4 with the first match to be played at Nottingham.
Here are some tweets in relation to Pakistan’s Virat Kohli
https://twitter.com/Abu_Shalwar/status/1413899910773157888
Virat kohli comes to rescue pakistan team #ENGvsPAK pic.twitter.com/LurdKEukm6
— Khurram (@Saykhurram) July 10, 2021
Kohli saab has reached Pakistan in search of 71st hundred. pic.twitter.com/CyAyA00Ig9
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) July 11, 2021
Every one is busy in watching football n no one noticed that kohli was playing for pakistan#Messi #PAKvENG #ENGvsPAK pic.twitter.com/iXeHxqLs5e
— 💥 WALI NASIR 💥 (@walinasir20) July 11, 2021
Anybody else think that Shakeel in a helmet is the mirror image of Virat Kohli?
But dressed in green…#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/tR4MgDozbb
— James Buttler | Cricket Badger Podcast 🏏🦡🇺🇦 (@cricket_badger) July 10, 2021