Azhar among the best in the world, says Asad Shafiq   

Pakistan middle order batsman Asad Shafiq praised fellow mate Azhar Ali, calling him among ‘the best players in the world’ after the duo shared a 201 runs stand against the New Zealand, in the third Test at Abu Dhabi.

Sharing a double ton stand the duo also managed to score their respective hundreds as well. "In the past we have seen that whenever Azhar Ali makes a hundred, I follow after that, so I was telling him that make your hundred so it can be my turn after that!" said Shafiq, quoted PakPassion.net.

"He [Azhar Ali] is one of the best players in the world you get to learn a lot from batting alongside him," said Shafiq.

The two batsmen have become Pakistan’s batting mainstay after the retirement of Misbah-UL-Haq and Younis Khan, and the two are regularly compared to their predecessors.

"There is no pressure but Azhar Ali and I have a responsibility to play a role after retirements of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan and to play some big innings. After Azhar Ali's wicket, it was crucial for me to stay there, but unfortunately I was out soon after and we could not get a good partnership together, but these things happen."

Asad maintained that there can be no comparison with Misbah and Younis, however, they are applying all their traits on the field.

"The contributions of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan are very big and we try to make sure that we do not feel the effects of the space created by their departure."