Yasir Shah enjoying constant guidance from Shane Warne
Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah revealed that he is taking constant guidance from Australian legend Shane Warne with regards to improving his bowling and added that the leg-spin legend’s tips have been of great help in the England tour so far. Warne, who counted his Ashes rivals as one of his most favourite opponents, said that he was more than happy to pass on his tricks to the Pakistani leg-spinner claiming that they shared a good rapport with each other.
"He’s had a wonderful start to his career," Warne said in a Facebook Live chat. "As I’ve said plenty of times, he’s definitely got the best leg-break that I’ve ever worked with. I think he’s a wonderful bowler and I’ve enjoyed our little sessions together. I had another chat with him this morning (on day two) about a few different things."
Yasir, playing his first Test match outside Asia at Lord’s in the first Test of the series, picked up a ten-wicket-haul to earn himself a Man-of-the-Match award as the visitors clinched a thrilling 75-run victory over Alastair Cook’s side.
Yasir, who first interacted with Warne ahead of the series against England in the UAE last year, revealed that he had another conversation with the leg-spin legend after arriving in England where they talked about handling the Duke ball being used in England.
"When we met in Sharjah during the England series he did give me advice, including about how to use the crease. I tried to do as he said and it's been very helpful to me, especially in English conditions," he said.
"Yes, we do stay in touch on Twitter, Messenger and WhatsApp. We were in touch before the Lord's match. He's been asking me how my bowling is going, how I was coping with the Dukes ball. I worked first on my grip since the Dukes ball is a little more slippery than a Kookaburra. It's the first time I've played a Test match with a Dukes.”
Mickey Arthur full of praise for Yasir
Though Yasir failed to recreate his Lord’s magic at Old Trafford where they hosts made a roaring comeback to equalise the series at 1-1, Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur felt that the leg-spinner was excellent even though he might have failed to pick up many wickets.
"I thought he was excellent in the first innings, he was outstanding," Arthur said after play on day three. "He allowed Misbah to rotate the quick bowlers from the other end. He held the game up and controlled the run-rate for us and he did a great job.
"That’s something he’s developing. There are times in conditions like this where he has to do that holding role. He wasn’t that successful at Old Trafford but he learnt a hell of a lot from that.”
Echoing Arthur’s words, Warne feels that the Old Trafford experience will only help Yasir become a better bowler and also predicted the leg-spinner to have a big impact in England’s second innings in the ongoing Test at Edgbaston.
"If Pakistan can post a big first-innings score then he’s definitely got a big role to play," Warne said of Yasir, before Misbah-ul-Haq’s side managed to score in excess of 400 in their first innings. "He’ll definitely have a big say in this match in the third innings with the wicket getting a bit drier.”