Yasir will be match-fit for second Test: Pakistan team manager

Intikhab Alam says Zafar Gohar is no more required as a replacement

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah was announced fit for the second Test against England by the team manager Intikhab Alam.

Zafar Gohar was named as a replacement when Yasir suffered a minor back injury in the nets just a day before the first Test but he was not able to make it to Abu Dhabi in time.

Test captain Misbahul Haq was not a happy man at the toss when asked about Yasir and rued the lack of spin cover in the initial 16-man squad.

"He [Yasir] is fit and will be match fit by the second Test," said Alam, while talking to ESPNcricinfo.

"We no more require Zafar as he was only named replacement for the first Test but he didn't make it, so we have plenty of time ahead of the next game to decide."

Read: Pakistan missed Yasir Shah's 'key' presence - Mushtaq Ahmed

Meanwhile, Alam also hinted towards a surprise announcement.

"We don't want to reveal anything at the moment but we have some plans,” said Alam.

According to the ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal or the recently reported for illegal action Bilal Asif could be in the frame.

Meanwhile Ajmal, on Friday, said he was not expecting a call from the management.

"Of course everyone might be thinking about me right now but I can confirm that they haven't asked about my passport," Ajmal told ESPNcricinfo.

"But I am sure in the present scenario they are definitely thinking about me."

Misbah’s frustration was shared by Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis when he spoke to a TV channel on Friday as the hosts were planning to play two fast-bowler and two specialist spinners in the playing eleven. Yasir injury forced them to add right-arm pacer Imran Khan to the squad with Zulfiqar Babar being the only specialist spin option.

Yasir was seen jogging around in the ground during lunch and tea intervals in the first Test and did also stretch his bowling muscled in the nets.a