Asad Shafiq’s grand plan for a win against Australia

Pakistan middle-order batsman says team knows the value of the Boxing Day Test

Pakistan middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq, who nearly snatched victory from the Aussies in the first match at Gabba, believes his team can pull off a series-levelling victory in the Boxing Day Test against Australia.

Shafiq, who scored 137 off 207 balls in the first match in Brisbane, says if the team can put a good total on the board after batting first, they will have a better chance of defeating the Aussies.

“From what I have seen and heard, the wicket at the MCG helps Pakistan more than other. So we all know that if we put up a good total batting first, we will have a good chance of winning,” Shafiq told reporters in Melbourne.

A bit cheeky from @mstarc56 here! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/24Dg8o4pUS

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 23, 2016

The MCG will be expected to have a full-house when the second Test kicks off on Monday and Shafiq said Pakistan know the importance of the match.

“It’s a big Test match, the Boxing Day Test,” he said. “We all grew up watching this Test match in Pakistan. And we know the value of this Test. We are hopeful and positive especially after the first Test where the whole team gelled together well.”

The 30-year-old further said that the team is confident after the second innings resistance shown against the Aussies in the first Test and will be vying to come back in the series.

Pakistan Team Practice Session at @MCG #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/4W9xsmkY87

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 23, 2016

“We are playing positive cricket and good cricket [at the moment],” said Shafiq, who holds the record for most centuries (9) at the number six position in Tests. “Nobody was expecting that we would come back like this [in the first Test]. We all showed character and courage.”

He continued: “These kinds of matches always give you confidence as a team and as a player. Especially, if the first match of the series is like this, that always helps [everyone] in the upcoming games.”

Moreover, Shafiq also talked about the experience of playing at the MCG and said it was an ‘honour’ to play on a ‘historic’ venue.

Pakistan Team got a chance to meet their fans before practice. Check out our video for what went happened #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/MhuemEsc2t

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 23, 2016

“I have never played in front of such a massive crowd,” he said. “MCG has a history and it is an honour for me to play here. It will be exciting for those who are playing here for the first time. We are all united after the way we played in the first Test. We are hopeful of getting good results in the next two Tests.”

Asad Shafiq's video interview was published on ESPNcricinfo