Shafiq feels pacemen give Pakistan the edge
Pakistan batsman Asad Shafiq believes his team have the pace bowling reserves to come out on top against England in the Test series next month.
The Asian side will play Ireland in a one-off Test in Dublin from 11 May before taking on England in a two-match series.
The conditions will most likely be in favour of the seam bowlers and Shafiq is confident that the likes of Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali will take advantage of conditions.
ALSO READ: Pakistan include five uncapped players in Test squad
Shafiq told reporters: “We do possess the quality to win the series. Conditions in England are bowling friendly but as a batting unit we will try to give our bowlers enough space to get the hosts out.
“Our fast-bowling has the capacity [to dismiss England twice]. Amir and Hasan are bowling well in the nets too.
“The condition in England will be favourable for bowlers. I think we have an edge over England as a fast-bowling unit. But as a batting unit we will have to follow up after our bowlers have done their job.”
A big loss for Pakistan is that of leg-spinner Yasir Shah who will miss out on the tour due to a hip injury.
Shafiq is confident though that Shadab Khan, who is likely to replace Yasir in the starting line-up, will be able to do the job required.
The middle-order batsman continued: “Yasir is not a conditions-assisted bowler. He can get any team out on any pitch. His absence will be felt.
“However, we definitely have quality spinners who can create a difference for Pakistan.”
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.