Dubai. Yasir Shah, who achieved the honour of becoming the joint-second fastest bowler to take 100 Test wickets in his 17th Test match has an infectious smile. He is such a down to earth cricketer that he did not know whom all to thank at being able to achieve such a honour.
“I am very thankful that in my first pink ball Test, I was able to perform so well and also get my 100 wickets.”
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who held the record for fastest Asian bowler to 100 Test wickets (18 matches) before Sunday night, had tweet to him saying: “Good luck, may the force be with him. He is such a delight to watch,” Commenting on the tweet on Ashwin who has now become the second fastest to 200 Test wickets in the recently concluded home series, Shah said: “Ashwin sent me a tweet wishing me good luck before the Test, and I am thankful to him, for me, coming from a bowler of his stature, he has the record for fastest to 200 wickets, and that gave me motivation to do well.”
When asked if he would like to be playing against India with Ashwin as their strike bowler, Shah said: “India and Pakistan players always like to play against each other. I have never played Tests against India and I would really like to play Test Cricket against India.”
When asked about the players with whom he share the honour of reaching the 100 wicket mark quickly. “I have not seen the names of many of the players on the list (of quickest to 100 Test wickets) before. I saw them for the first time on TV today, perhaps because they are from a long time ago.” His candid answer evoked a chuckle among the journalists.
Shah also candidly admitted that it was difficult bowling with the pink ball. “In the beginning it was a bit difficult bowling with the pink ball. But we had a week to get used to it in the nets sessions and it got better, and I was able to get a better grip on the ball. This ball provides some bounce as well, but the wicket is a bit slow, so the batsmen are being able to handle the bounce for now.”
Devendar Bishoo who produced a deadly eight-wicket spell could not contain his joy. It was his career best spell which bowled out Pakistan for 123. “I’m delighted right now, that I got eight for 49, I’m so happy. I don’t have words to explain that, I’m really happy, more happy of the position we put ourselves in the Test match.”
When Gulf News asked if he could explain the way he bowled, Bishoo said: “I tried to bowl more straight and on the stump. I used the rough a little and I tried to use the crease a bit more and bowl at the stumps. The T20 and one day have already finished, but I think us, as a Test squad now, having a day like today we’re setting ourselves up for a good series.”
