Asad Shafiq dedicates century to late Hanif Mohammad

Pakistan batsman Asad Shafiq scored a timely century for the visitors in the fourth and final Test match of the series against England. His century gave Pakistan the upper hand and they managed to take a lead in the first inning definitely supported by Younis Khan’s century.

After the end of day’s play Shafiq while talking to the reporters said, “I would definitely like to dedicate the hundred to great Hanif Mohammad. He was a great batsman in our history and it is an honour to dedicate this hundred to him,” he dedicated the century to the ‘Little Master’ of Pakistan, Hanif Mohammad who passed away a couple of days ago aged 81.

This was his 9th century in Test matches and the second outside Asia. He said that he would be happy if Pakistan can win the match and square the series. “Yes, it’s great to score a hundred outside Asia. When I was coming on this tour everyone was saying that that it will be tough so it’s great to score a hundred here [in England]. Test cricket is always challenging and we have to be up for that challenge. I will be the happiest man if we win after my hundred,” he added.

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Catches win matches:

England assistant coach Paul Farbrace feels that the missed chances are a big reason for England being on the back foot, as they say – ‘Catches win matches’. “Missed chances have been an issue for us. If we’re serious about being number one in the world, we have to catch our catches,” he said.

However, the hosts fought back with the wickets of Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq and debutant Iftikhar Ahmed in the last hour of play. “Until the last half-hour, it was a tough day,”

“Those last two wickets have given us a bit of encouragement. Days two and three are generally the best times to bat and Pakistan, by bowling us out, has earned the right. They’ve batted well but we’ve battled back well,” he added.

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