Asad Shafiq ‘working hard’ to fill Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan’s space

Pakistan middle order batsman has admitted that he alongside batting veteran Azhar Ali are working hard to fill the shoes of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan in Test cricket.

“I admit that we [including Azhar Ali] didn’t play that many big innings. However we know that after the retirement of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq we have to take the responsibility, and we are working hard to fill that space,” said Shafiq, while addressing a presser on Thursday.

Speaking about reports of separate captaincy in Test format, Shafiq said that the matter is up to the PCB to decide, whether they want to change the skipper or not. “Nobody knows who is going to be the captain this is up to the PCB, at the moment Sarfaraz is our skipper and he has our support,” he said.

Shafiq at the moment is part of PCB’s ongoing conditioning camp, which is being held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) under the supervision of former captain Misbah ul Haq.

The middle order batsman informed that they are focusing on improving their fitness levels and are learning a lot under Misbah's supervision. “Misbah is very cooperative however, one would need to give their 100 percent,” he said.

Answering to a question regarding his low average in Test format which sits at just under 39, Shafiq said that the lack of runs have more to do with his batting position, which would improve as he bat higher in the coming matches.

“For the first five, six years of my international career, I have batted at the number sixth slot, and one major disadvantage of batting such lower is that you don’t get more chance of piling massive runs,” said Shafiq.

Shafiq further said that performing in domestic circuit is his priority, whereas selection is up to the PCB.