Published: Oct 30, 2015, 12:02 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 30, 2015, 12:12 PM (IST)
Like then-young Irfan Pathan was mentored by the words of wisdom by legendary pacer Wasim Akram, similarly the promising Yasir Shah, who has shot to No.2 in the ICC Test rankings is receiving the same from his hero Shane Warne, the very best leg-spinner the world has ever seen. Pakistan who will be starting of the third Test bidding to climb to the second spot in the ICC ratings, will expect Yasir Shah to deliver in Sharjah.
To make things better from the Pakistan point of view it is Warne who is mentoring the prodigy and reckons that he is a ‘wonderful bowler’.
Warne, who will soon be playing in the United States in the Cricket All-stars league, was desperate to bowl alongside Yasir. As reported by AFP, Shane Warne said, “We didn’t work on any tactical thing, just worked on who he his having trouble with in the England side, some tactics and plans, how he can be a little bit better as he wants a bit more drift and bounce. Read: Shane Warne to bowl with Yasir Shah?
We couldn’t communicate that well but when he was smiling afterwards I knew what he got was pretty good. It was a nice hour or so and that was good fun. He is happy and he will go away and, hopefully, in the next couple of days start ripping and getting wickets and that will be great.”
Adding further he says, “Look I have always been a fan of Shah since the first time I saw him a while ago, probably he is the best leg-spinner in the world, the way he bowls and the way the ball comes out of his hand.’
Yasir reckoned it was a dream come true for him to be training under the watchful eyes of Warne. He said, “It was a childhood wish that I could bowl with him, play with him and I was excited to have him here for me. I am very happy to know the kind of feedback he gave me and that he spoke highly of me. He emphasised that Test cricket is played with patience and I don’t need to rush and waste energy, I just need to keep myself calm.”
After spending time with Yasir on Thursday, Warne had a bowling session with England’s leggie Adil Rashid. About Rashid, Warne had earlier said, ““Rashid is also a wonderful bowler…it was tough against Pakistan’s batsmen because they did wonderfully well against the spinners, so he will learn.”
After spending time with Rashid, Warne wrote on Instagram, “Time for a another bowling session, this time with young Rashid from England. Should be fun. Happy to help any spinner from any country.”
