Yasir Shah back to boost Pakistan attack in second Test
Thursday 22 October 2015 15:50, UK
Misbah-ul-Haq expects Yasir Shah's return to give Pakistan the advantage should the second Test against England turn into a trial by spin.
Yasir is likely to replace seamer Rahat Ali at the Dubai International Stadium to bowl alongside slow left-armer Zulfiqur Babar - with Bilal Asif also in the frame to make his debut as a second off-spinner - in addition to Shoaib Malik.
Bilal's suspect action is being investigated and he underwent tests in Chennai this week, but the results are not expected to be published until after the end of the Test and Pakistan are entitled to pick him in the meantime.
But it is Yasir, who has picked up an impressive 61 wickets in his first 10 Test matches, who poses the more obvious threat to England after recovering from the back spasm which ruled him out of the first Test.
"Looking at the last year, he has been superb," said Pakistan captain Misbah. "He is the star bowler for us. No matter who we are playing against, an Asian side or not, he has really bowled well and taken wickets at the right time and just created a lot of pressure.
"Obviously he is a big impact player and we are really confident about him coming back into the side."
Misbah is confident too that conditions will be to Yasir's liking.
"I think it is a typical Dubai pitch, and should suit us," he said. "This venue is better suited for spinners [than Abu Dhabi] and result-oriented.
"The team which plays spin well and have better spinners have a good chance."
Pakistan almost threw away a certain draw in the first Test after being skittled on the final day, only for bad light to intervene with England 25 runs short of victory.
"We should not repeat the mistakes we committed in the first game," added Misbah. "We have to respect their bowlers, after the way Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali bowled on the last day.
"We have to be very cautious and play better. We have posted good totals and saved the matches on the last day many times.
"It was just one odd day, and I think we have to forget it but ... be really professional in the next game."
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