England Vs Pakistan: Injury scare for star leg-spinner Yasir Shah

Yasir Shah will be vital to Pakistan’s chances at Old Trafford

As a confident Pakistan head to Old Trafford with a 1-0 lead, they were dealt with an injury scare to their premier bowler Yasir Shah. While the team trained on Wednesday, the leg-spinner suffered a knock that could well hamper his team’s preparations for the second Test.

The Daily Express reported that Shah was batting in the nets when he was struck on the left shoulder. The leggie was apparently on the ground, in pain, for a few minutes before he was helped to his feet by Wahab Riaz. The leggie was reportedly in significant discomfort as the team doctor led him off the nets and into the dressing room.

England, after suffering a humiliating loss at Lords, has called in reinforcements for the second Test at Old Trafford. While all-rounder Ben Stokes and pacer James Anderson are set to return, the hosts will field a leg spinner of their own in Adil Rashid.

With England looking to play two spinners, a turning track is expected at Old Trafford. Yasir Shah’s fitness therefore, becomes all the more important in this context for Pakistan. The spinner has been the tourist’s go-to bowler in recent times and his contributions will have a significant impact on the outcome of the series.

Pakistan’s fielding coach Steve Rixon said, “Generally speaking, Yasir will have a major effect in any game of cricket. It doesn’t have to turn a lot for him to have an impact”. Highlighting the significant role the spinner is expected to pay, Rixon added, “When you have a magnificent control you are in the game, and there are very few who have had that. Shane Warne is one, and Yasir is rightfully sitting at the top of the tree for that reason”.

In view of his recent form, the injury scare to Shah will surely be watched closely. Pakistan’s team management however, were quick to allay any fears as Agha Akbar - their media manager – confirmed that the bowler is not suffering from an injury and will play the second Test.

As England prepares to combat Shah’s lethal leg-spinners, they would more than welcome divine intervention in the form of any injury to the visitor’s destructor-in-chief.