Yasir targets England weaknesses ahead of second Test
Thursday 22 October 2015 15:56, UK
Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah has declared himself '99 per cent fit' for the second Test against England, which gets under way on Thursday.
Yasir missed the opening drawn match between the sides last week due to a back spasm, but looks set to return and add to his impressive career figures of 61 wickets in just 10 Tests.
The 29-year-old believes England's batsmen have long been susceptible to high-class leg-spin and is looking to make the most of the conditions in Dubai, despite Moeen Ali's claims that Joe Root is the "best in the world against spin".
"In the nets, I try to bowl as per the videos of their batsman and weaknesses I've noticed," he said. "I've focused on those weaknesses. I think they are weak against the leg-spinners so will strongly try to exploit that.
"I watched Shane Warne in the Ashes, and I noticed they are weak against leg-spin. So I've watched those videos and have tried in the nets to bowl like that."
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Yasir, who has taken 14 wickets in two Tests at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, has confirmed he is ready for action after injuring himself in the nets prior to the opening Test in Abu Dhabi.
"I am 99 per cent fit," he said. "I did bowl in practice on the third day of the Test, and I didn't feel any pain."
Two days earlier, it was clear during a late fitness test he was not going to make it, claiming he found it "difficult to walk".
Alastair Cook scored 263 against Pakistan as England recovered to almost secure the unlikeliest of victories in last week's first Test, but Yasir admits he has England's captain in his sights.
"He played very well in the first innings, but I always relish this kind of challenge to bowl at good batsmen," he added.
