Pakistan’s spin bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed is confident that the spinners Yasir Shah and Shadab Khan would play a key role for Pakistan in the ongoing Test series against England. He heaped praise on the duo after they demolished England’s attack in the first inning of the opening Test match.

Cricket pundits had doubted Pakistan’s success with two spinners in the playing XI but Yasir and Shadab had silenced all the critics.

The former bowled an impressive spell, picking the prized wicket of England captain Joe Root. He returned with the figure of four for 66 from 18 overs on Friday. His spinning partner Shadab Khan demolished the lower-order, picking the wicket of Jofra Archer and James Anderson. He also amassed crucial 45 runs in the first innings.

Yasir Shah and Shadab Khan can be lethal: Mushtaq Ahmed

Pakistan had given the target of 277 runs to England which is not easy to chase at the Old Trafford pitch. And with the visitor’s bowling attack, the host would have further fewer chances to get across the line.

Mushtaq Ahmed believes that Yasir and Shadab, who haven’t played for five-six months, have got back the momentum. He added that the duo has better understood the pitch would surely guide the team to get the lead.

“Yasir and Shadab have hardly played much cricket for the last five or six months, but the way they bowled in the first innings I think they’ve got the momentum now. They understand the pitch and what pace you need to bowl on it, what fields you need to have to different batsmen.

“I think they are feeling confident in their bowling now. Yasir especially, I think he started a bit nervously but we can understand that and I think he then bowled well and now if we set a good target, they can be lethal out there,” added Mushtaq, who previously held a similar position in England’s backroom staff.

Meanwhile, as of now, Mohammad Abbas had got the wicket of Rory Burns on the fourth day before lunch break. Dom Sibley and Joe Root are at the crease as England have put 55 runs on board.