Yasir’s legacy hinges on how he bounces back: Saqlain

Spin legend believes leggie’s return to form will ascertain true mettle

KARACHI: Former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq feels that Yasir Shah will go from good to great if he manages to bounce back from his poor performance in the second Test against England at Old Trafford.

After his match-winning 10-wicket haul in Pakistan’s victory at Lord’s, Yasir had emerged as world’s leading leg-spinner. However, after the incredible high came the mortifying low of the second Test when the 30-year-old conceded 213 runs for one wicket in the first innings, followed by a wicketless toil in the second.



Before that chastening experience, Yasir had claimed 86 wickets in just 13 Tests with a quintet of five-fors and one 10-for, which came at Lord’s where he helped Pakistan go up 1-0 before the series was levelled 1-1.

“Yasir has been brilliant in his short Test career but I feel he is now at a point where he can either remain just good or join the likes of the greats,” Saqlain told The Express Tribune.

“Every player experiences a rough patch in their careers, but the way they recover is what separates the good from the great. England had a plan for Yasir at Old Trafford, and it was executed to perfection, so this would be a challenge for him. He is a really good bowler and he should bounce back.”

Saqlain worked with England as spin consultant in the Old Trafford Test and his appointment paid instant dividends as the English first nullified Yasir’s threat before Moeen Ali troubled the Pakistani batters.

As the series is ongoing, Saqlain refuses to divulge the tweaks that have turned around England’s spin fortunes, but he did say that the English players’ ability to learn quickly from their mistakes helped his job.



The 39-year-old also praised Moeen’s bowling in second innings of the last Test, stating that the all-rounder deserved to bag a four or five-wicket haul.

Lastly, when asked if he was disappointed by the way some reacted to his association with England, he replied, “I’m okay with criticism but people should not cross the line. You don’t abuse if you disagree. I won’t blame the Pakistan Cricket Board for not having me, but as professionals, we need to do our job.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2016.

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