Srinagar: Veteran Pakistan cricket team leg-spinner Yasir Shah has said that he is ready for his comeback into Test Cricket against Sri Lanka.
In 2015, Pakistan was travelling to Sri Lanka in the backdrop of having lost two series in a row in 2009 and 2014.
Then in 2015, Pakistan recorded an epic 2-1 win on the back of a young leg-spinner who before traveling to the island nation had played only seven Tests.
Yasir Shah made his presence felt from the very first Test at Galle when he recorded a second innings seven for 76, helping his side to a resounding 10-wicket win.
In the next Test at Colombo’s P. Sara Oval, Yasir returned a six-fer in the first innings before the hosts levelled the series. On a personal note, however, it was a special game for him as he surpassed his coach, Waqar Younis, to become quickest Pakistan bowler to take 50 Test wickets.
In the all-important Pallekele Test, Yasir again recorded a five-fer, sparking an epic collapse that saw Sri Lanka getting all out on 278 after the hosts slipped from one for 106 to four for 137.
His exceptional run on the Lankan shores earned him the player of the series award for snaring 24 wickets – 10 clear of the next best, Dhammika Prasad.
Since marking his international debut in 2014, Yasir has been every Pakistan captain’s go-to bowler. His utility is underscored by his extraordinary record of being the quickest, in terms of matches (33), to 200 Test wickets in the history of the game.
Speaking to PCB Digital at the conclusion of Pakistan’s first training session in Sri Lanka, Yasir said, “It is tough being a leg-spinner because getting into rhythm can take time. I had to take a break from international cricket because of a thumb fracture. I played in Pakistan Cup and did a month-long camp at the National High Performance Centre. It helped me in regaining the rhythm required to thrive in international cricket and I could sense it when I was bowling in the nets.”
“I have some very fond memories of Sri Lanka and this venue as I completed my 50 Test wickets here,” Yasir said.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka face-off in two ICC World Test Championship fixtures in Galle on 16-20 July and Colombo on 24-28 July.