Former Australia opener predicts Abdullah Shafique to surpass Babar Azam

Former Australia opener Simon Katich made a bold predicted about Abdullah Shafique during day two of the ongoing Perth Test between Australia and Pakistan. 

While speaking on commentary, Katich heaped on Shafique, predicting that he will turn out to be a better batsman than Babar Azam.

"He’s a good young player, he’s had a good start to his Test career. What I like about him the most is that he’s aggressive against spin. We have already seen him today hit Nathan Lyon straight over his head, so I like the look of him,” Katich said.

 “I think he’s going to be a better player than Babar Azam," he predicted.

Pakistan weathered a fiery Australian bowling blitz Friday to survive unscathed by tea on day two of the opening Test in Perth as they chase the hosts' first innings 487.

At the break, they were 43-0 with Abdullah Shafique on 25 and a dogged Imam ul-Haq not out on nine.

They came through 20 overs intact on a pitch that still had some zip, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh thundering in with no joy.

Skipper Cummins brought spin king Nathan Lyon into the attack early on and he found some vicious turn in his bid for the four more wickets that will take him to 500.

But the batters held firm, with Shafique in good touch, clattering four confident boundaries so far.