Azhar Ali and Yasir Shah facing fitness struggles ahead of Pak Test squad announcement for SL series

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan may lose Test specialists against Sri Lanka

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket team’s Chief Selector Inzamam-ul Haq will announce a 16-member national squad for Test series against Sri Lanka tomorrow (Saturday).

Fitness concerns continue to looms over Test specialist Azhar Ali and Yasir Shah ahead of the series, which is scheduled to start from September 28 in UAE.

The leg-spinner [Yasir] struggled to impress team management and coaches at the camp at the Gaddafi Stadium, and is due to undergo a fitness test soon.

Talking to media Inzamam said, “Yasir is an important bowler, that’s why we are waiting for his fitness test.”

Commenting on Azhar, he said the batsman’s fitness has improved. It remains to be seen if the selectors decide to rest him to allow for his complete recovery.

Inzamam also said five fast bowlers will be selected in the squad.

http://www.brecorder.com/2017/09/22/370818/pakistan-may-lose-test-specialists-against-sri-lanka/

 

[Syed1]

Wait a minute how did Shah and Azhar get injured sitting at home?

 

[MMHS]

Time to introduce new leggi Irfan

 

[Abdullah719]

Wait a minute how did Shah and Azhar get injured sitting at home?

Yasir isn't injured (afaik), he has reportedly been falling short of the requirement during fitness tests.

Azhar is carrying a knee injury.

 

[mak36]

Wait a minute how did Shah and Azhar get injured sitting at home?

Looks like Shah has been eating too much halwa puri.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yasir Shah faces late fitness test ahead of 1st Test. FATA born leg-spinner Mohammad Irfan is on standby <a href="https://t.co/zRxdPYXtrY">https://t.co/zRxdPYXtrY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSL?src=hash">#PAKvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/FXoUfTm7MT">pic.twitter.com/FXoUfTm7MT</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/911277941312643072">September 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Ahson8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yasir Shah faces late fitness test ahead of 1st Test. FATA born leg-spinner Mohammad Irfan is on standby <a href="https://t.co/zRxdPYXtrY">https://t.co/zRxdPYXtrY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSL?src=hash">#PAKvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/FXoUfTm7MT">pic.twitter.com/FXoUfTm7MT</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/911277941312643072">September 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Irfan would be a good call.

 

[Syed1]

It would be huge dilemma if Irfan has an epic debut. Would put Shah's place in the side in contention.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Irfan is a quality spinner.

 

[Ahson8]

It would be huge dilemma if Irfan has an epic debut. Would put Shah's place in the side in contention.

Not really since we need two spinners in UAE tbh.

 

[Syed1]

Not really since we need two spinners in UAE tbh.

But two leggies is overkill. Ideally one should be an offie to partner Shah/Irfan.

 

[Abdul]

It would be huge dilemma if Irfan has an epic debut. Would put Shah's place in the side in contention.

But are you hoping that? Gotta ask the real questions.

 

[Syed1]

But are you hoping that? Gotta ask the real questions.

I won't lie there is a certain romance attached with the idea of Yasir Shah mainly because what he has achieved for Pakistan, but if Muhammad Irfan proves to be better servant for the nation then I'm all for his continued selection.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yo-yo test in the morning for Yasir Shah to see if he makes the Pakistan Test squad. He failed the first test <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSL?src=hash">#PAKvSL</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/911305290620063744">September 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ask_analyse_act]

If Azhar sits out, Shehzad will be in and would be opening with sami aslam... Would be a nice competition to see two young openers competing together as openers..

 

[Bewal Express]

There is much to admire about Irfan(the big turn) but he is not ready. He bowls too many loose balls even for a leg spinner, which without an experienced spinner at the end, could end his career.

 

[Junaids]

So Yasir Shah hasn't learned from Umar Akmal's multiple fitness mistakes.

Yet he attracts none of the disdain and contempt, this man who averaged 50 with the ball in 8 Tests in Australia, England and New Zealand.

 

[Abdullah719]

So Yasir Shah hasn't learned from Umar Akmal's multiple fitness mistakes.

Yet he attracts none of the disdain and contempt, this man who averaged 50 with the ball in 8 Tests in Australia, England and New Zealand.

Let's see if Yasir keeps on putting weight and loses the next six fitness tests as well... then we can compare.

 

[aloo paratha]

They have to have some shame, I'm sure these fitness standards aren't even that high, and even if they are, the players are paid to do this.

 

[CricFan2012]

Mohammad Irfan will be the next shane warne, hes way better than yasir imo

 

[shane]

I am a big fan of fitness etc but, let's face it, Inzamam and Shane Warne are just two examples of brilliant players who were fat slobs for most of their playing days. There should be exceptions where performances can justify it (unlike with Umar Akmal who does not even perform)

 

[Junaids]

Let's see if Yasir keeps on putting weight and loses the next six fitness tests as well... then we can compare.

Yasir Shah gets such an easy ride. This is a guy who failed a drug test for a substance with a mandatory 2 year ban, and got away with it by claiming it was his wife's.

If you are crude and flash like Umar Akmal you don't get the special treatment, even if your offences are lesser. Akmal's multiple offences are all trivial compared with the Yasir Shah failed drug test.

 

[Monsee]

So Yasir Shah hasn't learned from Umar Akmal's multiple fitness mistakes.

Yet he attracts none of the disdain and contempt, this man who averaged 50 with the ball in 8 Tests in Australia, England and New Zealand.

They are awaiting on the 'Paani bhi peeta hun to weight gain ho jata hai' statement from Yasir...although Yasir is missing those drag queen like clothes (re;Umar) as well!

 

[Boi]

Poor from Yasir. He's had a long off season and really let himself go. Very disappointing and unprofessional.

 

[Monsee]

Yasir Shah gets such an easy ride. This is a guy who failed a drug test for a substance with a mandatory 2 year ban, and got away with it by claiming it was his wife's.

If you are crude and flash like Umar Akmal you don't get the special treatment, even if your offences are lesser. Akmal's multiple offences are all trivial compared with the Yasir Shah failed drug test.

Yasir failed in a few tests, yet he won us multiple tests as well..Umar just cannot even hold on to his place in the team let alone win us any games!

Can you advise of a worth while performance by him against a good team...that ended up winning the game for us in last 2-3 years?

 

[PakLFC]

I don't understand this. They have hardly played in the last few months yet are unfit!!. Need a severe telling off for that.

 

[mak36]

I don't understand this. They have hardly played in the last few months yet are unfit!!. Need a severe telling off for that.

That's the problem. He only plays tests, and the last test was four months ago. Other than his short county stint at Kent I don't think he has played much FC cricket in that period, and he clearly hasn't been working on his fitness either.

 

[Abdul]

You'll never be fit if you see dieting as doing chores.

That's the biggest problem summarized in a few words.

 

[Rafay Shafiq]

As team need Yasir, so following the past, zero tolerance on fitness mantra will be put on hold, formality of fitness test will be done today and yasir will be declared fit. If it's any other player, who is not much required, then no compromise on fitness. This is typical PCB behavior. Let's see what it will do now

 

[shah_1]

Hopefully Yasif is dropped and we set a standard for all youngsters out there. No one is bigger than the team

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Hopefully Yasif is dropped and we set a standard for all youngsters out there. No one is bigger than the team

And just now he has been selected in the 16 Member Squad.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Huge fan of Yasir Shah and equally disappointed

Why Yasir, why?

Man, why is it so hard for a professional (Pakistani) cricketer to remain in shape?

Law should be equal for all and anyone who fails fitness test, be it UAkmal, Yasir or Sarfaraz himself should not be included in team.

 

[Red Devil]

Both have passed the fitness test now.

 

[Sultan Baba]

Umar Amin and Usama Mir should be bakeup for these two

 

[Saj]

Yasir obviously passed the test but he really needs to improve his fitness levels as scraping through these fitness tests is not acceptable.

He looked in poor shape in the summer in England and obviously that nearly cost him his place in the Test squad.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

So he magically passed the test or are there different standards for already proven players?

I guess he took the same test which U. Akmal took before flying to the UK.

 

[mak36]

So he magically passed the test or are there different standards for already proven players?

I guess he took the same test which U. Akmal took before flying to the UK.

No, he did not magically pass it.

In his initial test, he scored 17.1. He needed 17.4. It's a marginal difference.

Umar Akmal scored 16.4- he was well off.