As the team prepares for the upcoming tour to England and Ireland, Pakistan middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq has admitted that their bowling department has an edge over the home side in nutshell.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will play One-off Test in Ireland followed by two Tests in England starting from May 11.
Shafiq feels Pakistani fast bowlers has the capability to trouble the opponent batsmen and has an edge over England’s bowling unit.
“Our fast bowling has the capacity to [trouble the opposition]. Amir and Hasan have been very and the conditions favor the fast bowlers, so I believe as a fast bowling unit we have an edge over them in getting the opposition out as quickly as possible,” Shafiq said.
Moreover, the right-handed batsman Shafiq added that the batting also needs to step up to provide plenty for their bowling department.
“As a batting unit, we will look to give enough space to our bowlers that they can bowl the opposition,” he added.
Shafiq who bats at No. six feels he will definitely love to bat higher. However, the decision lies with the management.
“We are mainly concentrating on our batting because the conditions out there are tough for bating but as a professional cricketer it is our responsibility to perform despite the odds,” Shafiq added.
Shafiq admitted that Yasir Shah’s injury will be a big blow for the camp in particular. However, he also revealed that it will be an opportunity for the young spinner like Shadab Khan.
“Shah is a spinner who doesn’t need conditions to get wickets. However, the spinners that we have are good enough to make a difference,” he concluded.
The 28-year-old Shafiq has played 58 Tests for Pakistan scoring 3,614 runs at an average of 39.71 including 11 hundred.
Also, he will be crucial to Pakistan’s success in those challenging seamer-friendly conditions.