Asad Shafiq feels that Pakistan has moved on from the Asia Cup debacle

The Pakistan cricket team has got some stern times ahead in the near future. The team will be facing Australia, New Zealand followed by South Africa and England before the World Cup 2019. After the performance at the Asia Cup 2018, the team has been severely criticised. However, red-ball specialist Asad Shafiq seems to be confident about the team doing well against the Aussies.

Shafiq is one of the most consistent performers in the Pakistani Test set-up. He scored 3768 runs in 61 Tests for Pakistan at an average of 39.25 and will be crucial for the team going ahead. Post the retirements of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, the onus is now on Shafiq and Azhar Ali.

Asad Shafiq ready to shoulder the additional burden

“Of course, Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan were legendary players and served the nation for many years and it is true that it will not be easy for any other player to match their performances for the team,” Shafiq told PakPassion.net ahead of the Australia series.

Also, Shafiq doesn’t seem to be bogged down by the expectations. He said that he is ready for the additional responsibility and added that there isn’t any pressure on him. Further, the 32-year-old also noted that he would put into practice whatever he learnt from Misbah and Younis.

“As far as the upcoming Test series is concerned, I don’t think Azhar and I will be under any pressure. But we do recognise that we have an added responsibility on our shoulders. It will be up to us to put into practice all that we have learnt from the two great players and help Pakistan in this series,” he said.

“Victory and defeat are part of any sportsman’s lot and sometimes things go in your favour and at other times everything seems to be going against you. The disappointment of the Asia Cup is behind us now, and the whole attention has now shifted to the Test series which we will play against Australia. What we know is that we have a very good record against them in the UAE where we have beaten them before and we intend to work on the goal of preserving that record,” he concluded speaking about the performance in the Asia Cup.

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