Why Asad Shafiq is the most under-rated current Pakistan Test batsman

No batsman has scored more centuries at No.6 in Tests than Shafiq

Every team needs a batsman who is willing to do anything for the team's cause. While settled batting line-ups may be the order of the day, there will always come a time when it is tested and a change is required. And when you have a player who can orchestrate that change, you have all the necessary tools to succeed irrespective of the conditions.

And that is precisely what happened in the fourth Test of the recently-concluded Test series between England and Pakistan. Having squandered a brilliant chance to take the lead in the series in the third Test, the side were faced with a dilemma.

Younis Khan may be Pakistan's leading run-scorer in Tests and have more centuries than any other Pakistani batsman in history but it was clear to see that he wasn't his usual self in the series. Naturally calm and still, Younis' batting in the series reminded one of a ballet dancer trying different things after being recently introduced to tap dancing.

With just 122 runs to his name hitherto in the series, something had to give. Enter Asad Shafiq, Pakistan's oft-forgotten savior who revels in staying away from the limelight. Although a top-order batsman by trade, Shafiq had to play at No.6 for the majority of his Test career thanks to the presence of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq in the line-up.

After the fall of the nightwatchman Yasir Shah's wicket, Shafiq strode in at No.4 for only the fourth time in his career. Although he had bagged a pair in the previous game, he was ready to sacrifice his usual position and go up the order so Younis Khan could come in with a more stable platform set for him.

And just like he has done for the most of his international career, he rescued his country by giving them the best of both worlds. Not only did he end up scoring only his second Test century outside Asia but it also helped Younis to come in at No.5 for only the second time since 2003 and bring up his sixth Test double century and set the stage for a series-levelling win.

Setting the record straight

Despite batting in a position (No.6) that often involves building partnerships with the tail, Shafiq has eight Test centuries from that position, which is the joint-best by a No.6 in Tests, with Garry Sobers.

With over 2,500 runs to his name at No.6, only six batsman have scored more that position in Test history and with the record for most Test runs at No.6  less than 600 away, you wouldn't bet against him adding that to his kitty as well.

And we are talking about a batsman, who made his first-class debut as an opener and scored a century as well. A consistent middle-order batsman who had never batted at No.6 in his career until his first Test. Only when you start to unravel all the pieces of the Shafiq puzzle, you come to realise just how vital he is to this Pakistan line-up.

Good enough to be a top-order batsman and walk into every Test side in the world, the 30-year-old doesn't complain about the cards that he has been dealt and merely goes on with what he does best, score runs. With Misbah and Younis entering the twilight of their career, it might finally be time for Shafiq to emerge out of the shadows and into the limelight.

Why isn't he celebrated more?

The talk of limelight brings in another curious question, one that will be bugging most Pakistan fans. Why doesn't a batsman, who averages in excess of 40 despite batting at No.6 for the majority of his career and holds the record for most Test hundreds at No.6 get the recognition that he truly deserves?

One possible reason is his simple, straightforward approach to batting. Despite being the 15th ranked Test batsman in the world, as he recently said in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, he isn't someone who goes out and expresses himself. In his owns words, "I just want to do things very simply and very quietly.”

When you are mesmerized by the razzmatazz of a Misbah special or the twinkling feet of a Younis masterpiece, a quickfire cameo from Sarfraz Ahmed, it is easy to overlook the simple, yet elegant strokeplay of Shafiq. A player, who grew up on the suburban back streets of Karachi with a world record-breaking Mohammad Yousuf as a role model.

If that reason sounds rather too simplistic, the other possible reason could be his lack of exposure to foreign conditions. Of the 45 Tests that he has played since his Test debut in 2010, he has played just 13 Tests outside Asia. Almost half of his Tests have come at Pakistan's adopted home, UAE and this was his first series in England and is yet to play a series in Australia.

While conditions in the UAE are tricky for overseas batsmen who aren't to the turning ball, for someone from the sub-continent especially on the first three days, the surfaces are good for batting. Even though batting with the tail isn't easy, against opposition who don't always have world-class spinners, it isn't as tough as it may seem.

Yet, his two centuries outside Asia just highlight his potential and how good he is. His first century outside Asia came in his first tour of South Africa against pace trio of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, where he put on a big partnership with Younis, just like he did at The Oval, against an in-form Chris Woakes and the most successful new ball pair in the world at the moment, James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

While the former didn't win the match for his side, the latter did and both won the hearts of his country's fans who understand just how important he is to this side. Capable of scoring runs in any condition, as evident from his performances in SA and England, he can go on to be one of the country's best batsmen.

He may not be batting where he should but doing what he does, he's the hero Pakistan needs right now. A player who revels in the responsibility that he is provided and doesn’t complain to do what the team needs. A quintessential team player and every country could do with one of him.