Muhammad Irfanullah | August 4, 2026
The True Post (Web News) — Former West Indies fast bowler and renowned commentator Ian Bishop has revealed the interesting reason behind Pakistan star Babar Azam affectionately calling opening batter Abdullah Shafique “Kitabi” during the ongoing Test match against the West Indies in Karachi.
Responsible Partnership Rescues Pakistan
After the West Indies posted 344 runs in their first innings, Pakistan lost two early wickets at 98 runs. Opener Imam-ul-Haq scored 14, while Azan Awais contributed 55 before being dismissed.
With the team under pressure, Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique steadied the innings through a composed and disciplined partnership.
Brilliant Third-Wicket Stand
The pair shared an impressive 168-run partnership for the third wicket, frustrating the West Indies bowlers with technically sound and patient batting.
Their stand helped Pakistan recover from an early setback and strengthen its position in the match.
Why Is Abdullah Shafique Called ‘Kitabi’?
During the live commentary, Ian Bishop explained that Babar Azam fondly refers to Abdullah Shafique as “Kitabi”, a nickname inspired by his classical batting technique.
According to Bishop, Abdullah’s batting is technically correct, balanced, and closely resembles what coaches describe as “textbook batting.” Because of his elegant and fundamentally sound style, Babar gave him the nickname “Kitabi.”
Fans Appreciate the Nickname
Ian Bishop’s revelation quickly gained attention on social media, where cricket fans praised both the nickname and Abdullah Shafique’s batting style.
Many supporters described Abdullah as one of Pakistan’s most technically gifted Test batters, saying the nickname perfectly reflects his classical approach at the crease.
