Can perform better as T20 opener, says Asad Shafiq

Pakistan batsman Asad Shafiq, who is a regular feature of the Test line up, believes he can perform better as an opener in the national T20 team.

"In the limited over game openers have slightly more time to settle on the pitch than the rest of the batting line-up. I feel I can perform better at the number one spot than any other position in the T20 squad," the Dawn quoted Shafiq as saying.

Shafiq, who made his Test debut in November 2010, also shared about his experience with cricketing legend Vivian Richards saying, "Sir Richards and Moin Khan have both been very supportive as coaches and have always kept their feedback positive, even when there haven't been runs on the board, they don't criticise us but rather try and keep us in a positive frame of mind."

The 31-year-old further said that people think that he cannot perform in the shortest format and that's why he decided to play in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) to practice and hone his skills.

When asked about the PSL final which is expected to be played in Lahore, he said, "We are all really excited about playing the PSL final in Lahore, we have missed playing international cricket on home grounds."

The right-handed batsman has so far played 53 Tests in which he has scored 3,364 runs at 41.02, while he has featured in 60 ODIs, scoring 1,336 runs at 24.74.