Asad Shafiq a ‘world-class’ batsman: Tauseef Ahmed

PCB selector hails centurion and asks critics to be patient with the team

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee member Tauseef Ahmed has lauded the team’s valiant attempt to chase down what would have been a world record chase of 490 in the first Test against Australia at Gabba, and also heaped praise on man-of-the-match Asad Shafiq for scoring a stunning fourth-innings hundred despite it being his first-ever Test in Australia.

While talking to the The Express Tribune, Tauseef said that team’s resurgence in the final innings will boost the visitors' morale immensely.

“It almost feels like a victory after the way the team fought back following their first innings collapse,” said Tauseef. “More importantly, the team has sent a stern warning to the hosts after such a spirited performance, and it will lift their morale for the remainder of the series as well.”

The Misbahul Haq-led unit lost the opening game of the series by a mere 39 runs after a sublime batting performance by Shafiq, who scored a resilient 137 in the fourth innings to nearly pull off a miraculous victory, which had seemed impossible for large parts of the match.

Tauseef, who represented Pakistan in 34 Tests and 70 ODIs, praised the Karachi-born middle-order batsman Shafiq, who, according to him has earned the tag of a ‘world-class’ batsman after scoring a century in his first Test on Australian soil.

“Asad [Shafiq] is our future and the way he regained his form during the first Test is commendable,” said Tauseef. “He has proven himself as a world-class batsman. Any player from Asia who scores a hard-fought century in Australia gets the certificate of a top batsman and he has achieved that.”

The 58-year-old also defend veteran batsman Younus Khan, who got out while playing the reverse sweep on the fourth day of the match.

“Younus [Khan] and Misbah have achieved a lot for Pakistan and it is not fair to criticise them on the basis of a few performances,” he said. “It is a part of the game and Younus has a role to play in this series.”

Tauseef also asked the critics to give the team more time to show what they are capable of and tipped struggling leg-spinner Yasir Shah to bounce back.

“Critics should hold on to their judgement for a little bit longer,” he added. “They are playing in Australia after a long time and we should be a little more patient about the team’s performance.

“This fightback has set the series alight and I am hopeful that Pakistan will get positive results after a fighting performance.

“I believe Yasir will also bounce back; he was unfortunate as some chances were missed off his bowling. Overall, we are satisfied with his marathon spells.”