Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah set to be fit to face Australia in Brisbane day-night Test
Monday 12 December 2016 16:41, UK
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur believes leg spinner Yasir Shah will be fit to face Australia in this week's day-night Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, which starts on Thursday.
The ICC's top-ranked Test bowler missed the final match of the recent series in New Zealand and sat out last week's clash with a Cricket Australia XI in Cairns after suffering a back injury in training.
But Arthur told reporters in Brisbane on Monday that he expects his key bowler to be fit for the start of the three-match series against the Aussies.
"I saw him at the team hotel before I came and he seemed fine," said Arthur.
"Which is good, because you don't want to deprive the Australian public of the chance to see an unbelievable leg-spinner go about his business.
"And, obviously, he is integral to our plans as well."
Pakistan have never beaten Australia in a Test series Down Under and Arthur says they will need to bat better than they did in New Zealand.
The middle and lower order collapsed in Hamilton last month, as Pakistan slipped to a 2-0 series defeat.
And Arthur added: "It's no secret we need to get some runs.
"Adapting outside our conditions is difficult. It is like Australia playing on the sub-continent, but we are working hard on that."
South African Arthur used to coach Australia but was fired on the eve of the 2013 Ashes after a run of defeats, having initially enjoyed some success.
And the 48-year-old admitted he would love to prove a point to his former employers.
"I wouldn't be honest if I said otherwise," he said. "That's what happens. It's a ruthless world out there.
"I always maintain that I loved the first year and a bit of it. It was outstanding and I felt we made some significant progress.
"This series isn't about me against Australia, it's about two very good cricket teams going head to head. I hope that can be the focus."
