AUS v Pak: Rookie Australian Batsman Ready To Take On Yasir Shah
Dec 11, 2016 at 11:56 AM
Australia, as a side, doesn’t have many fond memories about Pakistani spin sensation Yasir Shah. When the two sides last met in a Test series, in late 2014 in UAE, Shah made his test debut and had the Kangaroos on the mat. The Australian batsmen had no answers to the guile and venom of Yasir Shah, who spun the web around the Kangaroos.
The tables have turned two years later, and this time, Pakistan would be facing some serious music from the Aussies. The hosts would be more than eager to settle scores with the leg-spinner, who tormented them a couple of years ago. Rookie Australian batsman Peter Handscomb, who recently scored a half-century on Test debut against South Africa, is fervent to take on Yasir Shah.
“He’s (Shah) a world-class bowler,” said Handscomb on the sidelines of a practice session. “Personally, I am looking forward to getting out there and seeing what it is like to face him. I haven’t seen a great deal of him. But I would dare say he would be able to use the bounce at the Gabba and turn the ball as well.”
“I have never faced him before but I am sure he will be difficult and hard to pick with the pink ball,” Handscomb added further about the leg spinner. “I am going to enjoy the challenge of getting out there and seeing what happens.”
Pakistani pacer Wahab Riaz spoke about Shah’s fitness and said that the team was optimistic about the leg-spinner getting fit in time for the first test. “I haven’t got any feedback on Shah yet, but obviously he’s recovering well,” Riaz said. “He’s going to be our trump card and we want him to play the first Test match. “All the fast bowlers in this squad, they have their own speciality.