Shadab Khan: “There is no such talk in the dressing room about me batting higher up the order”

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Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan has been in red-hot form with the bat as of late as he has already scored three half-centuries, but are there plans to move him up the batting order?

Playing in his fourth Test against England at Headingley, Shadab was the only Pakistan player to put up a fight with the bat as he struck a career-best 56. Since it marked his third successive half-century, he equalled a record set by Umar Akmal.

Despite making an excellent start to his Test career, Shadab made it clear that he will not be promoted.

“There is no such talk in the dressing room about me batting higher up the order,” he was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. “We have experienced and capable batsmen batting in those positions.”

Shadab revealed that former Australia captain Steve Smith is his favourite cricketer, but pointed out that he wants to be known as a bowling all-rounder rather than follow the route Smith took.

“Although Steve Smith is my favourite cricketer but I want to focus on playing as a bowling all-rounder rather than following a path similar to that of Smith’s,” he said. “But every time I go out to bat, I think this is my last-ever innings. I also try to play in accordance with situation of the game and pounce on anything lose that comes my way.”

In regards to his bowling, Shadab has taken seven wickets in his first three Tests at an average of 48. Despite this, the 19-year-old believes he is slowly and steadily becoming a better bowler.

“It’s difficult to replace a bowler of Yasir Shah’s calibre but I’m trying my best to ensure that I can fill the void left because of his absence,” he said. “I was satisfied with my bowling performance against Ireland, but could have done better at Lord’s.”