Jamshed is looking to become one of Pakistan’s most consistent batsmen in all three formats
Pakistan opening batsman Nasir Jamshed has announced that he is looking to enhance his reputation by being able to thrive in any condition and is hoping to put his plan into action during the ongoing Test series against South Africa, which is the first time he has played outside of Asia.
Jamshed made his international debut in an ODI series against Zimbabwe in 2008 and had relatively solid performances with the bat throughout the year and in 2009 as well, where he mostly played against Asian teams in Asia.
However, towards the end of 2009, Jamshed was dropped due to fitness issues and it wasn’t until two and a half years later that he was recalled into the national side, where he has currently scored 602 runs, which include three centuries and three half-centuries, at an outstanding average of 66.88.
All of his 22 ODIs and 11 Twenty20 Internationals have been played in Asia and his first-class career was confined to the continent as well.
It was his solid performances in the limited overs format that earned him a recall into the Test side for the tour of South Africa.
Jamshed, who recently struck back-to-back hundreds against India during an ODI series, is currently Pakistan’s best and most consistent batsman.
However, Jamshed does not want his consistency to be limited to Asia, but is instead looking to become a master of all conditions and etch his name in history as being one of the best openers Pakistan ever produced.
“I don’t want to be tagged as an Asian-oriented batsman,” Jamshed told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s the line between an average and a world-class player.
“I admit I haven’t played outside Asia and the tour to South Africa without doubt will be my first real test and I am prepared for it.”
The 23-year-old has played against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Australia, but announced that he is still yet to face a tough bowler, who has the ability to really trouble him at the crease.
In the first Test against South Africa, it seemed as if he had met his match in pace bowler Dale Steyn, who dismissed him cheaply in both innings.
“I haven’ played out of Asia; similarly I am yet to face tough bowlers, so it would be a unique experience for me to bat against South Africa’s world-class bowlers in their own backyard,” Jamshed said.
Pakistan have toured South Africa four times since 1995 and the conditions have always tested Pakistan’s batsmen, whereby Taufeeq Umar and Saeed Anwar have been the only two openers to have scored a century.
Vice-captain Mohammad Hafeez, who was also dismissed cheaply in both innings of the first Test, is currently averaging 16.50 in six innings since 2007.
“I [have] never been to South Africa at any stage of my career but the pitches there are always challenging,” Jamshed said. “I don’t know what happened in past but every day is a new day and things do improve with time. It obviously will be tough but we are well prepared for it and I have my plans as an opener.
“I know they have done some homework on me and I am not worried at all but I have to think ahead of them and give them nothing. There is no need to rush. If they want to bowl hard, I have all the strokes and patience required for Test cricket. I have also worked so hard on my defence, making it more solid.”