There isn't much higher praise in world cricket than to be compared with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar.

And it's a measure of the esteem with which Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur holds Asad Shafiq that he's paid him that very compliment in the wake of his side's rise to the top of the world Test rankings last month.

Shafiq, 30, posted a crucial century in the fourth Test against England at The Oval, a result that secured the tourists a 2-2 draw and catapulted them to the top of the ICC's rankings for the first time.

Arthur, the former South Africa and Australia coach who took control of Pakistan earlier this year, said Shafiq is his side's best batsman on a technical front, no mean feat in a batting order that also includes veterans Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

So impressed has Arthur been with the diminutive right-hander, he says he sees a little of Tendulkar when his player is out in the middle.

Shafiq (left) and Tendulkar play the cut shot // Getty Images

"Technically, Asad Shafiq is our best batsman," Arthur told ESPNCricinfo.

"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 visualise Sachin Tendulkar. That is high praise, and I have told him that."

Interestingly, Shafiq's form in the series against England reflected the results of the four Tests; he scored 73 and 49 at Lord's and then 109 at The Oval in matches Pakistan won, but managed just 43 runs in their defeats at Old Trafford and Edgbaston, including a pair in the third Test.

Having batted at No.6 in the first three Tests, and despite not troubling the scorers in Birmingham, Arthur showed enormous faith in Shafiq by elevating him to No.3 for the final Test of the series (he ended up batting at No.4 due to the use of Yasir Shah as a nightwatchman) and was rewarded with a hundred.

Younis, Shafiq help put Pakistan in control

It was Shafiq's ninth Test century and just his second from 13 Tests outside Asia, a positive sign ahead of the tours of New Zealand and Australia this summer.

The reshuffle at The Oval came due to Azhar Ali's elevation from No.3 to opener in place of the dropped Mohammad Hafeez and Arthur indicated he's yet to settle on the batting order for the upcoming series against the West Indies.

"Asad Shafiq was moved to No. 3 because Hafeez was dropped," Arthur said. "So that position has become available.

"There are people who want that position and somebody who fits the bill in terms of physical, mental, tactical and technical will get that role.

"Technically your best player should be batting at No. 3.

Shafiq celebrates his vital century at The Oval // Getty Images

"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's series against the West Indies begins on September 23 with the first of three Twenty20 matches before three ODIs and the first of three Tests on October 13-17.

Arthur's side will then travel for two Tests against Black Caps in November before the first of three Tests against Australia, a day-night fixture at the Gabba from December 15.