KARACHI: Pakistan middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq has credited coach Mickey Arthur for the success he enjoyed during the summer Tests in England.
“I feel good about my game. Mickey really lifted my morale and now I’m looking forward to perform well against the West Indies,” Asad said while talking to DawnNews.
In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Mickey termed the 30-year-old as Pakistan’s “best batsman”.
He went on to say that Asad reminded him of Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar.
“When he gets forward he is sideways on. Look at him: short, balanced, punches well off the front foot, cuts exceptionally well. At times I could almost visualise Sachin Tendulkar. That is high praise, and I have told him that,” Mickey was quoted as saying by the cricket webzine.
But Asad played down any comparison with the Indian batting great. “I feel very honoured to have received such comments,” he said, diverting the conversation towards his future plans.
“I am satisfied with my performances in the Test arena and will not waste any opportunity if given by the selectors in ODIs or T20s,” the Karachi-born batsman said.
“I played in the National T20 Cup with a desire to prove that I am a worthy player in the game’s shorter format as well,” he added.
Representing Karachi Whites, Asad scored over 300 runs with a healthy strike rate of 139.01 in the tournament. In the semi-finals against Peshawar, he scored a brilliant 55-ball 92 to take his side home, chasing down 179.
“I am aiming to cement my place in ODIs and T20s. For which, I have altered my batting technique to suit limited-overs cricket and so far it has earned me success,” Asad said.
