KARACHI: Legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir on Tuesday said that the Pakistan team not only won the nation’s hearts with their brilliant show in Brisbane, they are likely to make a definite impact in the next two Test matches since their morale will be very high after the magnificent run-chase.
“It was a great team effort by Asad Shafiq and others and no praise is high enough for the manner in which Pakistan fought back at Brisbane,” said Qadir.
However, commenting on leg-spinner Yasir Shah’s below par performance with the ball, Qadir said he will have to learn the art of taking wickets on different type of pitches and also needs to work quite a bit on his googly and flippers totrouble the opposition.
Yasir had captured 49 wickets in just 7 Test matches at 23.00 apiece in 2015 and this year, he has taken 43 wickets in 9 Tests at a high average of 36.58.
Qadir said the reason Yasir had become less effective in the last few Tests was because he was finding it difficult to adjust on pitches in New Zealand and Australia. “Yasir must learn how to use the crease and vary the pace,” said Qadir while speaking to Dawn News. “He (Yasir) also needs to plan and trap good batsmen like Steve Smith and others on these wickets which is the hallmark of great bowlers.”
Qadir, however, added that he expects Yasir to overcome his problems soon since he is a world class spinner. “He has been a match-winner, both in the UAE as well as in England, and if he is able to perform well in next two Tests in Australia, he will truly earn his reputation as the world’s best bowler,” said Qadir.
Qadir said wickets in Melbourne and Sydney will suit Pakistan more. “The ball will not only reverse there, it will also provide more turn to Yasir,” he said. “I feel that this is Yasir’s chance to create history if he performs well and leads his side to memorable wins.”
He further suggested that Pakistan should try Asghar or Nawaz along with Yasir at the MCG and SCG which will be a good ploy against the Aussies. “Two spinner in the line-up will not only provide variation to Pakistan attack, it will also help them manage the work load of the pace bowlers,” he pointed out.
When asked to comment on Pakistan’s contrasting show at ‘home’ and abroad, the spin wizard blamed the conditions and tracks in the UAE for the deterioration in team’s performance on away tours. “The real problem has been the placid wickets in the UAE and dull weather conditions there which hardly pose any challenge to either our batsmen or bowlers,” observed Qadir. “Our players score heavily and spinners take bulk of wickets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but now this Australian tour is the litmus test of their abilities and they must work hard to overcome the odds and win the series.”