Pakistan ace leg-spinner Yasir Shah has signed a deal with English County Club Kent for the Specsavers County Championship where he is supposed to feature in four games, in Division Two domestic circuit scheduled in the United Kingdom.
“I’ve heard positive things about the county and hope to contribute to the team,” Yasir Shah was quoted by Kent Cricket Website.
Kent team management took an important step – to give a push to the side, in order to bank on their experience, as they picked a quality slow bowler to strength the squad.
“I’m very happy to return to England and play county cricket for the first time,” excited Shah added.
While expressing his satisfaction, Kent chief coach Matt Walker revealed Yasir will not only strengthen the side but would nurse the young talent, as the management is looking for a long-term deal with the spinner.
“Yasir is one of the finest spinners in the world and will add something different to our attack,” Walked stated.
The Swabi-born spinner Yasir is expected to make his County debut on June 8 against Durham at The Spitfire stadium for the Canterbury outfit.
Moreover, Kent is scheduled to face Worcestershire on June 19, followed by Nottinghamshire on June 26 and in their last fixture they will wrestle it out with Northamptonshire on July 3 at Beckenham.
“Taking 20 wickets consistently in red-ball cricket will be key to our promotion chances,” Walker remarked.
It’s expected to be a massive challenge for the 31-year-old spinner, as he would be aiming to give a tough time — to the opposition batsmen while making his fresh entry into the county cricket for Sam Northeast-led Kent.
“I’ve enjoyed my previous visits to England and look forward to playing in front of the Kent supporters at Canterbury and Beckenham,” Yasir added.
Earlier, Kent has already signed New Zealand paceman Adam Milne for the later-half-of-the-season, as the former is also the second overseas player, who’s expected join the team on 18th of June.
However, according to the rules and regulations, Kent would be allowed to go with their only overseas choice in the Playing XI.
Adding to the stats, ranked 13th in the Tests, Yasir becomes the second overall bowler to complete his hundred wickets in 17 games, in the recent past, as he had also held the No. 1 position in 2016, in Test cricket.
“And a bowler of Yasir’s calibre will help to us achieve that and rotate our attack at a key period in the season,” Walker maintained.
However, in previous encounters, spinners didn’t have had enough success to their name, as off-spinner James Tredwell was able to collect just two wickets in his five games. Kent is placed at the second position on the division points table after winning four out of their five games.
In 2016 and 2017, Yasir was adjudged Man of the Series against Windies after claiming 46 wickets in two Test series spread over six Tests.
Yasir, who made his international debut in 2011, has featured in 26 Tests, in which he has collected 149 wickets at an average of 29.91 which further include eleven five-wicket haul and eight four-wicket haul and two ten-wicket hauls.