Pakistan can win this Test from here, says Mohammad Hafeez

All-rounder heaps praise on Asad Shafiq who scored a magnificent ton under pressure

KARACHI: All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez refused to rule out Pakistan going into the fifth day of the first Test between Pakistan and Australia at Brisbane.

Chasing a nigh-impossible 490 to win, Pakistan finished day four on 382-8, with the superb Asad Shafiq still out there on an unbeaten 100.

“Pakistan have shown similar characteristics in the past as well,” he said, while speaking to The Express Tribune. “So this should come as no surprise to anyone. The match is still very much open, especially considering the way the tailenders have impressed alongside Shafiq.”

DROPPED! @asadshafiq1986 given a lifeline by @CAComms' captain @stevesmith49 off @mstarc56 https://t.co/ze8GB5hOlA #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/eaRj3a4vfz

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) December 18, 2016

Shafiq scored his ninth century as a number six — the highest-ever tally by any cricketer from that position — and Hafeez was understandably full of praise for his former international teammate. “He is one of the best batsmen around and played absolutely superbly,” Hafeez said of Shafiq. “This should rank as one of his best-ever innings, if not the very best.”

The 36-year-old also felt the fight shown by Pakistan in the second innings will send a message to the Australians. “The players were unable to perform in the first innings but regardless of what happens in this match, Australia will now know that Pakistan will not be pushovers,” he said. “They will realise they are in for a fight and the way the tail has played, they will think twice before ruling out Pakistan. This will also give a lot of confidence to the Pakistani players.”

The right-handed batsman, known for his stylish drives, believes Pakistan need to go into the remaining games with an attacking mindset. “In Australia and even in New Zealand, you can’t just keep on defending. You have to look for runs and need to continuously attack the bowlers. If you try and defend then you will be dismissed very quickly,” he said.

Hafeez also refuted the notion that scoring runs on such bouncy tracks is difficult. “Once you get used to the bounce and pace on offer in Australia and get your eye in, the ball comes quite nicely onto the bat,” he said. “In fact, sometimes it’s easier out there as compared to Asian conditions since you can trust the pace and bounce; the ball doesn’t stick in the pitch like it does here sometimes.”