Leg-spinner Yasir Shah, tipped to be Pakistan’s trump card at Lord’s, proved his status with a six-wicket haul in the first innings of the Lord’s Test, saying he is elated at helping the team get a crucial lead.
Shah took 6-72 to help Pakistan skittle England for 272 in their first innings, giving the tourists a crucial lead of 67 runs.
Shah is the first leggie in 20 years to take a five-for at Lord’s, the last being current Pakistan bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed in 1996.
“I am more than happy,” said Shah. “My six wickets helped the team get a crucial lead and if we manage to score 300 in the second innings this match will be ours.”
Shah said he did not expect this in the first innings.
“Initially I was trying to contain the batsmen and was bowling a bit fastish leg spinners but once I got a wicket it gave me encouragement and then I got the much needed rhythm,’ said Shah, who has most wickets — 82 — after first 13 Tests.
Shah said he was told by Mushtaq to use his variations.
“Mushtaq bhai told me to use variations because there is slope and he asked me to bowl from the pavilion end and that helped a lot. I bowled wicket to wicket and although there was not much turn I got my variations to help me get wickets.”