Determined Pakistan opener Shan Masood hoped England spearhead James Anderson gets fight for the first Test starting at Lord’s from July 14, saying he wants to be the best against the best.
Masood hit a hard fought 62 and 29 in the three-day side match against Somerset as Pakistan took command of the match, giving a mammoth target of 468 to their opponents.
Asked would he be up for the challenge against Anderson, Masood replied: “Yes, you want to play against the best bowlers, against the best teams. That is why we call this Test cricket. You need to rise to the challenge and make a name for yourself.
“I don’t want to get too ahead of of myself in terms of talking a lot but these are the kind of challenges that make a name for you so I am after it.
Since his debut in 2013, Masood has shown remarkable maturity on and off the field. The watershed moment came last year when he smashed his maiden hundred in tiem of need to help Pakistan chase a daunting 377-run target against Sri Lanka at Pallekle.
In the last series against England in UAE Masood was dismissed all four times by Anderson with a solitary half-century. That doubles his challenge as Anderson in England poses more threat.
Anderson took 21 wickets in the three-match series against Sri Lanka which ended late last month. During the last Test at Lord’s Anderson was diagnosed with a stress fracture of his right shoulder blade. Initially he was doubtful for the first Test against Pakistan but has since made good progress.
If fit, Anderson will test Pakistan batting as only Younis Khan and Azhar Ali have played a Test at Lord’s before.
Masood said he wants Anderson to be fit.
“Hopefully if I get a chance and I hope Anderson is fit as you always want to play against the best and beat the best. I will be up for that challenge. I will be difficult but that’s what you have to to do at the end of the day.”