KARACHI: Leg-spinner Yasir Shah on Monday said Pakistan team is ready for the historic day-night Test match against the West Indies starting from Thursday in Dubai and the pink ball is now gripping well for him during the practice sessions.
Talking to media persons after Pakistan team’s practice session in Dubai, Yasir admitted that in the beginning he was finding some difficulty in gripping the pink ball but he has now adjusted well with it. “I am getting more bounce and better grip with the pink ball compared to the red ball and am looking forward to performing well in Pakistan’s first ever day-night Test beginning this week,” said Yasir. “It is bound to be an exciting experience for all of us.”
Read: Bishoo looks to tame Pakistan in pink-ball Test
Yasir said pitches in UAE are different from England where the ball did not turn much. “In England, I had to bowl with lot more thrust and effort while here in the UAE, I always get a fair bit of turn ,” said Yasir.
The wily leggie is also eyeing the hundred wickets landmark against the West Indies in Dubai Test. “Yes, I need just five wickets to get to that landmark and will do my best to achieve it in the first Test.”
Yasir has a tally of 95 wickets in just 16 Test matches and if gets to hundred wickets in the Dubai Test, he will become fastest bowler ever for Pakistan reach the landmark. The record is currently held Saeed Ajmal who achieved this landmark in his 19th Test. Yasir further said that Pakistan is not taking the opposition lightly since the West Indies is always a dangerous team who have the ability to bounce back strongly.
Published in Dawn October 11th, 2016
