Pakistan defeated England 2-0 in a three-Test series last year and Shafiq says they will be using that to their advantage. PHOTO: AFP
LAUSANNE/ LONDON/ KARACHI: Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq has said Pakistan will fare better than Sri Lanka in England as the Men in Green have more depth in their batting line-up as compared to the Islanders.
England have so far outclassed Sri Lanka, winning the first Test by an innings and 88 runs and the second Test by nine wickets.
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The new-ball duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson, ranked third and first in the world respectively, have ripped apart Sri Lanka at will but Shafiq feels Pakistan are better equipped to face them.
“Our batting is more experienced as compared to Sri Lanka’s and we’ll do better against England,” Shafiq told reporters in Lahore. “We’ve more depth in our batting with seniors such as Younus Khan and skipper Misbahul Haq.”
And Shafiq says Pakistan are learning from the mistake of others. “We’re watching what mistakes Sri Lanka are making and we’re using Duke balls in our practice.”
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Pakistan recently defeated England in the UAE 2-0 in a three-Test series and the right-hander says they will be using that to their advantage, stating that they studied the strengths of Anderson and Broad during the series.
The 30-year-old is Pakistan’s most prolific number six batsman, having made 2,420 runs on the position at an average of 46.53. And he has no regrets at being sent so low down the order, which often prevents him from scoring big.
“My aim is to perform and help the team instead of looking at my personal scores,” he said. “I’m satisfied batting at sixth.”
The Karachi-born also praised the board’s plan to send the team early to England as it would allow the players to acclimatise better.
Shafiq also said the team is looking to win the Test series as it will allow them to go into the 50-over series high on confidence and said that Pakistan will be banking on their pace attack to deliver the wins in conditions favourable to fast-bowling.
“In England, it’s very difficult to play two spinners in those conditions so the burden of the bowling will be on our fast-bowlers,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2016.
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