Shadab dismisses talks of promotion in batting order

Leg-spinner reveals admiration for Steven Smith; wants to continue as bowling all-rounder

Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan says there is not talk of him being promoted in the batting order after the right-handed tail-ender scored a fifty to help the visitors add some decency to their first innings score.

Pakistan, after opting to bat first, were all out for 174 on a day one Headingley pitch, with the 19-year-old scoring 56 runs off 52 balls courtesy 10 boundaries on a pitch where all established batsmen struggled.

“There is no such talk in the dressing room about me batting higher up the order,” said Shadab while addressing a post-day press conference. “We have experienced and capable batsmen batting in those positions.”

The fifty in Leeds was Shadab’s third consecutive one as he matched a record set by Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal, but the Mianwali-born all-rounder said his focus remains on becoming a top-class bowling all-rounder.



“Although Steve Smith is my favourite cricketer but I want to focus on playing as a bowling all-rounder rather than following a path similar to that of Smith’s,” he said. “But every time I go out to bat, I think this is my last-ever innings. I also try to play in accordance with situation of the game and pounce on anything lose that comes my way.”

Speaking about the contrasting performance of the bowlers from both sides, Shadab said that the conditions were different during the first innings as compared to the second.



“The conditions were slightly difficult when we were batting as the ball was seaming and swinging due to cloudy weather, but it eased up with the sun coming out when we were bowling,” he explained.

Shadab, who has picked seven wickets in three Test matches so far, also felt that he is gradually improving as a bowler.

“It’s difficult to replace a bowler of Yasir Shah's calibre but I'm trying my best to ensure that I can fill the void left because of his absence,” said the young leg­­­-spinner. ”I was satisfied with my bowling performance against Ireland, but could have done better at Lord's.”