ENG vs PAK 2018: Watch- Shadab Khan quashes comparisons with Steve Smith after defiant knock at Headingley

Shadab Khan scored a crucial 56 for Pakistan.

Shadab Khan's batting prowess is being compared with Steve Smith after his recent knock. (AFP)

Pakistan were all dead and buried after the top order failed to put up any resistance against the England bowlers on the first day of the Headingley Test match. Then it was Shadab Khan who played a defiant 52 ball 56 which included 10 fours to take Pakistan to 174 before being bowled out. 

In the post-match conference, when the young leg-spinner was asked if he wanted to turn into a batsman like Steve Smith, who started out as a bowler but later turned into a batsman, Shadab said "not yet".

"He's (Smith) my favourite, but not yet. I didn't go as a batsman, the focus is on being a bowling all-rounder, just play as a bowling all-rounder," Shadab said. Shadab inspired a late-order revival as Pakistan's last three wickets added 95 runs. Talking about how he revived Pakistan against England on Day 1 of the 2nd Test, Shadab said, "There was seam and swing when I was batting. I was only trying to do what I know."

This is Shadab's third fifty in successive Tests. Prior to this, he had scored 55 against Ireland and 52 against England at Lord's. At end of Day 1, England were 106 for two, just 68 runs behind Pakistan. The start of the Day 2 has been delayed due to rain. 

Here is what Shadab said when he was equated with Steve Smith. 

 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 02 Jun, 2018

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