Debutant Salahuddin hopes for long stay in Test side

Middle-order batsman says experience of playing in England to come in handy in second match

Young middle-order batsman Usman Salahuddin was excited about the start of his Test cricket career, which began with the second five-day contest between Pakistan and England in Leeds.

The 27-year-old, who has been consistently performing in the domestic circuit for the past couple of years, was keen to impress on his first appearance in the longest format of the game.

“Like every cricketer, I’m very excited about my Test debut and want to do well,” said Salahuddin while talking to the media in Leeds on Thursday. “It was my dream to represent Pakistan in Test cricket.”

Salahuddin, who replaced Babar Azam after the latter was ruled out following a forearm injury, pointed out that the past experience of playing in England can come in handy in the second Test.

“I played the premier league in Newcastle and Midlands and also had a good outing in the practice match against Leicestershire, which is why the experience of playing in England will come in handy,” he said.

The 27-year-old then named his inspirations in batting. “Legends like Inzamamul Haq and Mohammad Yousuf are the players I look towards for inspiration while in the current team, Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq are my favourite players,” he revealed. “Internationally, I closely watch Joe Root and Virat Kohli because they are both middle-order batsmen like me.”

Salahuddin, who has played 99 first-class matches and has scored 6,329 runs at an average of 46.53 with 20 centuries and 34 half-centuries, had further said that he will stick to his natural game against The Three Lions.

“I would like to stick to my natural game and play according to the requirements of the game,” he said. “I want to play for Pakistan for as long as possible and replicate the performance of Inzamam and Younus Khan.”

He continued by outlining his future goals with the Pakistan Test team.

“My target is not just to play a single Test and then relax,” he said. “I know it is crucial to avoid playing the drive loosely against this quality England bowling attack and wait for the bad ball to capitalise.”