LONDON: Throwing lavish praise on his batsman Asad Shafiq, Coach Mickey Arthur compared him with India's batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.
Arthur called Shafiq, Pakistan's best batsman in team's current roster and said that the diminutive right-hander is so technically correct that he reminds him of Tendulkar.
"Technically, Asad Shafiq is our best batsman," Arthur told ESPN Cricinfo.
"When he gets forward he is sideways on. Look at him: short, balanced, punches well off the front foot, cuts exceptionally well. At times I could almost visualize Sachin Tendulkar. That is high praise, and I have told him that," Arthur said.
Shafiq scored a brilliant century in the fourth Test against England at The Oval, a result that secured Pakistan a historic 2-2 draw. The draw also took them to the top of the ICC's rankings for the first time.
"Technically your best player should be batting at No. 3. I was really impressed with Asad, who really wanted the opportunity to bat up the order. He batted up the order at The Oval after getting a pair in Birmingham. And then got a hundred, and that says so much for his temperament and skill," Pakistan coach said.
Pakistan is scheduled to play two Twenty20 internationals, three Tests and three one-day internationals against West Indies. The long tour begins on September 23 with the first of three T20 matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
