Shafiq spoke to PakPassion.net about the tour of England and his hopes for what he wishes will be a long and distinguished international career. Shafiq scored 120 runs in 5 innings, including an accomplished maiden one day half century at Headingley, off only 58 deliveries

by Saj Sadiq

1 October 2010

 

A product of the Karachi tape ball circuit, Asad Shafiq stormed the first-class circuit in Pakistan in his debut season in 2007-08, scoring a double-hundred.

The little right hander fell short of a thousand runs that season, but attained the milestone two seasons later, when he scored 1244 runs in 12 games at an average of just under 50. Shafiq made an impact as a limited-overs player in 2008-09, when he scored 379 runs in seven games at an average of 54.14.

He continued his development through consistent performances for the Pakistan "A" side and many felt that it was only a matter of time before the call came from the National selectors.

Shafiq was then called up for the Pakistan one day squad in England recently and he certainly showed glimpses of his talent in difficult circumstances and in conditions that were certainly alien to him.

Shafiq spoke to PakPassion.net about the tour of England and his hopes for what he wishes will be a long and distinguished international career. Shafiq scored 120 runs in 5 innings, including an accomplished maiden one day half century at Headingley, off only 58 deliveries.

"Yes it was a tough ask for me, as I have never played cricket in England before, but the way I look at it is that the best players thrive in difficult situations and difficult circumstances. I knew that conditions would be tough for batting, given that the ball seams and swings a lot more in England than in Asia. I really enjoyed the experience and feel that it was fantastic for my future development."

Shafiq joined up with the squad in England, having been a member of the Pakistan "A" touring party in Sri Lanka. In 4 one day innings in Sri Lanka Shafiq scored 227 runs, at an excellent average of 75.66.

"As a professional cricketer you have to get used to playing in different conditions and yes it was a major change for me to be playing in Sri Lanka and then suddenly to be playing in England against a top class bowling attack. I was aware that I needed to make adjustments to cope with the conditions in England. The weather was hot and humid in Sri Lanka and when I arrived in England the weather was much cooler and cloudy. The wickets were also predominantly batting friendly in Sri Lanka, but overall I think I adjusted quite well."

Shafiq who will be representing the Karachi Dolphins in the forthcoming domestic Twenty20 competition rates the England attack very highly in all departments and felt that it was a thorough test of his ability to face such a potent bowling attack.

"They (England) are a very good attack, they have a very well balanced attack and these days they are amongst the best in the world. Swann is a superb bowler with excellent and subtle variety. At times it was difficult against the English bowling attack, but I really enjoyed the experience."

Shafiq brought a certain degree of aggression and energy to a Pakistan team that were reeling from controversy and a heavy defeat in the final test match.

"I'm naturally an aggressive cricketer, I play cricket with passion and aggression, I have always have been an aggressive cricketer and that will never change. Whether it's running between the wickets, fielding or batting, I am always positive and aggressive in my approach. I always go out onto the field with an aggressive and must win approach."

Shafiq's introduction to the tour of England was a smooth one, as his Karachi Dolphins team mate Shahid Afridi was in charge of leading the Pakistan team in the one day series and Shafiq felt that it helped with his nerves having a familiar face as his skipper.

"Shahid was very supportive, it was great that he was my skipper. He (Afridi) said to me to play with confidence and to play my natural game and not to feel under pressure."

Shafiq suffered from cramps in the first one day international at Durham and had to bat at number six. He was then asked to bat at number 4 in the second ODI at Headingley, and then batted at number three for the remaining matches. He feels though that the number three slot is his favoured and ideal batting position.

"In domestic one day cricket I bat at number three and that is definitely my preferred batting position. It was just unfortunate that I became unfit during the course of the first one day international and had to bat down the order."

Pakistan's next international assignment is the tough "home" series versus South Africa, in UAE, where Shafiq is definitely in contention for selection in all three formats of the game. He feels that he can perform in all formats of the game and hopes that the selectors give him an opportunity to shine in the UAE.  

"My four day record speaks for itself. I have an average of over 40 and 8 centuries and 7 half centuries already to my name in 35 matches. I enjoy four day cricket just as much as the shorter forms of the game and God willing when the chance to play test cricket presents itself, I will grasp it with both hands and take on the different tasks, technical challenges and responsibilities that test cricket presents."     

Shafiq's first opportunity to impress the selectors ahead of the series versus South Africa will be during the domestic Twenty20 competition commencing on 10th October in Lahore.

However, many pundits and keen watchers of the game seem to think that Shafiq possesses all the necessary attributes not only to become a successful performer in limited overs cricket, but also in test cricket.