Aamer Sohail points out Yasir Shah's shortcomings in Australia

Former opener also questions the role of leg-spin legend Mushtaq Ahmed

Former Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail on Thursday identified the main problem which prevented leg-spinner Yasir Shah from performing in Australia during the recently concluded three-Test series.

Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 by Australia and Yasir was only able to bag eight wickets in six innings.

“The biggest issue that I see with Yasir is that he does not finish his action, which is key for a leg-spinner to turn the ball away from a right-handed batsman,” explained Sohail. “Because of this issue, Yasir was unable to turn the ball against batsmen who use their feet well. As a result, he was found out too easily.”

The former left-handed opener also questioned the role of leg-spin legend Mushtaq Ahmed who had been helping Yasir for a very long time now.

“We had Mushtaq helping Yasir in the technical aspects for a while and that to me is the disappointing bit. Why is it that after such a long partnership with an experienced leg-spinner, Yasir is still struggling to turn the ball?” asked Sohail.

He continued: “Mushtaq should have worked with Yasir on the art of leg-spin and we should have been reaping the rewards of that hard work in this series but that did not happen.”

On Amir’s ineffectiveness

Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir also struggled and could only manage five wickets in the three Tests against Australia, and Aamer thinks he needs to learn to set-up batsmen to get them out.

“If we are being honest then we should admit that Amir had faults also,” said Sohail. “The final part of his action is not perfect and he is falling over to his left-side at the point of delivery. Regardless, the main issue is that he has not been able to swing to the ball. I feel his shortcomings were exposed in the Test series against Australia.”

He added: “Like most fast-bowlers, he must work out and plan each of his six balls in the over. Beyond that, he needs to pay attention to 'spell management' whereby he needs to plan his four or six-over spell in detail. What our bowlers need to do is to learn to surprise the batsman and do that on a consistent basis if they are to succeed at this level.”

On Misbah

Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq was asked by the Pakistan Cricket Board to lead the team against New Zealand and Australia and Aamer thinks the recent losses will push the 42-year-old to stay till the Windies series to end his career on a high note.

“Misbah did a great job given the circumstances but, sadly, he was a failure in the longer run,” said Aamer. “Even Misbah would have realised that all his hard work has gone down the drain as he was never a forward thinker. I do believe that it is time for him to move on but I have a suspicion that, given his recent spate of losses, he will want to stay on till the West Indies series to end his career on a high and it will really be up to the PCB to take whatever steps are necessary.

Aamer Sohail wrote for PakPassion