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[VIDEOS] Why is Yasir Shah being persisted with?

Sherlock

Test Debutant
Joined
Apr 3, 2010
Runs
14,293
Surely everyone can see the guy isn't the same bowler that started his career, a player that we were told was improving the variety of deliveries, for which we haven't seenz?

It seems like everytime I see the bowling stats he's been hit for a ton or more.

Why isn't there any foresight being used and dropping him?

I'd take a anyone from the domestic cricket over him.

He's seriously declined and it doesn't help he keeps bowling close to 40-odd overs when there's nothing he does to put pressure on the opposition.

Or am I being too harsh and this last 2-3 years is just bad form?
 
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In sub continent he can still be handful but in overseas tests I agree that Yasir is neither taking wickets when it matters nor controlling the run rate much.
 
He was overrated by many who considered him an all-conditions spinner, especially after the two spells at Lord’s and Oval which proved to be anomalies.

He was never the best in the world simply because he offers no control when he is not taking wickets. Even in England in 2016, he was a liability at Old Trafford and Edgbaston, contributing to the defeats.

This is where the likes of Ashwin, Lyon and Jadeja are superior. They rarely go for over 4 runs an over and concede 200+ runs in an innings.

Last year, both Ashwin and Jadeja had economy rates of less than 3.5 which benefited India greatly, while Yasir regularly goes for over 5 and even 6 an over outside Asia.

He is similar to Tahir. Very good when the ball is turning but a match-loser otherwise. Calls for dropping him are premature because he is still pretty good on UAE/Asian tracks, but he should never be picked for an overseas tour again.

In places like Australia you need a finger-spinner because they are more economical. Not every leg-spinner is Warne.
 
Because he has built a fake reputation and Shane Warne hyped him to the moon.

And, he's still pretty decent on UAE tracks, particularly in the 2nd innings.

Should not be selected for overseas tours though. Has some utility in the UAE / rank turners.
 
Not only is he being persisted with, but he's one of the handful of players with an A contract alongside Babar and Sarfaraz (not sure what the situation is with the latter, now that he's been sacked).
 
Because
1 - the team planners be it Mickey or Misbah are unwilling to believe that a bowler with over 200 wickets in record breaking time could be so poor away from Asia.
2 - he has played only a handful of tests every year away from Asia, so it actually took three years to figure out that he is not the answer abroad.
3 - in all the tests he has struggle abroad, the batting failed spectacularly and never gave him the cushion of runs to go hard against the opposition on day 3, 4, or 5. I guess they felt that sooner or later the batting would come good for that cushion to be there. Melbourne 2016 should have told them that even with big runs by the team he can’t do much

In my opinion he is good bowler who doesn’t have the discipline to bowl tight overs on green or bouncy pouches. If he could spin the ball sideways, he would atleast create doubt in the batsmen. But because he cannot, he has to have impeccable length. Every poor length ball that he bowls in UAE doesn’t go to the boundary because the bounce is low. Every poor length ball he bowls on true pitches gets despatched to the boundary.
 
Not only is he being persisted with, but he's one of the handful of players with an A contract alongside Babar and Sarfaraz (not sure what the situation is with the latter, now that he's been sacked).

Test (or Test-only) players should always be given an A contract. Minimum B for very poor performers.

There's a reason why nobody's taking Test cricket seriously now.
 
Test (or Test-only) players should always be given an A contract. Minimum B for very poor performers.

There's a reason why nobody's taking Test cricket seriously now.

I don't disagree with the thought process, but I wish he wasn't considered an automatic selection for the Test team regardless of all external factors.
 
<img src="https://www.thenews.com.pk//assets/uploads/updates/2018-12-15/406309_42954_Imran-Yasir-meeting_updates.jpg">
 
He's actually been pretty good, stats in 2017 - 2018:

12 tests, 81 wickets, average of 26, economy of 3

only 2 tests in 2019, and 4 wickets. But that isn't enough to justify dropping him. It's not clear why people are so against Yasir
 
He's actually been pretty good, stats in 2017 - 2018:

12 tests, 81 wickets, average of 26, economy of 3

only 2 tests in 2019, and 4 wickets. But that isn't enough to justify dropping him. It's not clear why people are so against Yasir

His stats from 2017 to 2018 are good because he played mainly in UAE and WI where he did well.

The problem is overseas.
 
Doesn't seem to be the same bowler.

The varieties aren't there, the zip isn't there, confidence not great.

Need Mushy back at PCB to sort Yasir out.
 
Well he has batted well above expectation in the 1st test. If he can bring about some control in his bowling, he can be our much wanted allrounder at number 8?

The issue is also that we give him far too many overs. Need a good fifth bowler who can take the pressure off Yasir.
 
It will be better to select an off spinner instead of Yasir.He has not troubled any batsman outside UAE.He can bat a bit though.
 
Can still be useful on Asian tracks, but the setup has to learn and not play him in games like this.

Maybe a finger spinner would be better as its all about keeping things tight and creating pressure.
 
Maybe him and Abbas should both be banished together

Ehsan adil and usama mir should win us our next few tours
 
Yasir unfortunately has not improved or taken his bowling to the next level. In fact he has declined and has lost turn
 
The humiliation continues. Absolutely zero ability to control the run rate.
 
Yasir Shah along with Mickey Arthur.

Two of the biggest con artists in Pak cricket's recent history.
 
Thanks to Misbah. Continues to play him with the hope that Yasir will be unplayable on 5th Day of Test.
 
Why didn't Misbah play Kashif Bhatti?

Why select him then play a 'con artist' over him?

He is trying his best to divert blame on Mickey Arther. There is a specific urdu word that i can't use here for these typical fan boys.
 
He can't do much in 'spinners graveyard' Australia. Nothing surprising for me.

Misbah has opted for the defensive options. Anyways, it was always gonna be innings defeat.
 
Why didn't Misbah play Kashif Bhatti?

Why select him then play a 'con artist' over him?

Don't know who Kashif Bhatti is, but any selector should now know to never select Yasir in overseas Tests. Will be a blunder by whoever does it.
 
Probably his and Pakistan's last holiday/tour down under for a while - surely battering minnows for fun becaomes a pointless chore eventually.
 
Bad review....


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Not sure why people are coming up with this now. It should always have been the shadab and faheem combo instead of ifti +yasir
 
Yasir Shah along with Mickey Arthur.

Two of the biggest con artists in Pak cricket's recent history.

There's a reason why I hold more respect for controversial cricket journalists/ex-players and etc, who bash certain Pakistan cricketers (and management) 24/7 to serve their agendas like yourself.

Unlike you, they do it to put food on the table for their families, whereas you do it for free because you're such a cheap individual.

I know you're not a professional journalist because your English doesn't meet the standard of working proficiency, as evident from that second sentence. So all you will ever be is a low life free PR agent, who will always be exposed for holding Misbah's interests above Pakistan cricket.
 
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Everyone can see Yasir is toothless in SA, NZ and Aus. The stats are glaring yet the coaches and selectors remain blind to reality.
 
Yasir Shah along with Mickey Arthur.

Two of the biggest con artists in Pak cricket's recent history.
Mickey dropped Yasir in South Africa after he took 1 wicket in 2 Tests at an average of 123.00.

Shadab came in and took 4-80 in the Final Test.

Now this new fool of a coach recalls Yasir for Australia, where he previously had 7 wickets in 3 Tests at 84.00.

And surprise surprise, this time he has 4 wickets in 2 Tests at 73.00.

He’s a liability outside Asia.
 
not totally Yasir fault if everytime he comes to ball, there is no pressure on batsmen

i think when he came to ball, it was abt 110 for 1? both batsmen well set, no pressure... good batting condition no support from the other side as well

if it was 130/3 might have had a diff ball game


having said that, this shld be his last overseas test ... fine, you cant take wickets but tht doesnt mean u ball rubbish.....
 
not totally Yasir fault if everytime he comes to ball, there is no pressure on batsmen

i think when he came to ball, it was abt 110 for 1? both batsmen well set, no pressure... good batting condition no support from the other side as well

if it was 130/3 might have had a diff ball game


having said that, this shld be his last overseas test ... fine, you cant take wickets but tht doesnt mean u ball rubbish.....

Still doesn’t excuse an ER of 6
 
May be, this has to do something with an empty barrel ...... as I had posted in another thread - the second leggi in current QEA season was averaging like 100. Finger spinners won’t do much in Australia, particularly if they are darters and most PAK finger spinners are darters these days - therefore they should have taken two leggi, and I agree that Shadab would have been my second leggi in squad.

But, that’s not by choice or talent - rather limitation ...... can’t take that pain on finger nails too much.
 
Because he is the biggest match winner for Pakistan in tests

No one has won more matches for Pakistan in tests in last 5 years
 
Ashwin is clearly a superior bowler, both cant buy many wickets but atleast he controls the economy.
 
Ashwin is clearly a superior bowler, both cant buy many wickets but atleast he controls the economy.

Ashwin is definitely the better bowler look at his spell last year at the Adelaide test match, Yasir could only dream of doing that. I think its time for Pakistan to move on from Yasir.
 
You don’t drop a bowler who has 200+ test wickets too soon. Deserve atleast 5-6 more tests.
 
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You don’t drop a bowler who has 200+ test wickets too soon. Deserve atleast 5-6 more tests.
When was the last time he put up a half decent performance outside of the UAE?

He needs to go along with Musa, Iftikhar and Imran.
 
Must be persisted for few more matches. Just getting back in form as seen in last match ( 4 wickets in an innings).
 
Can't take wickets, fine. But why can't you control your economy rate? Going at 6 RPO is criminal, and Yasir has been guilty of doing it all the time in SENA. Ashwin/Jadeja operate at 2-3 RPO overseas, this way they bowl 30 overs each day thereby giving our pacers more rest. They are also better strike bowlers than Yasir who had 2 good test matches in England in 2016, otherwise horrible. Watching an experienced and successful wristie bowl so badly in Australia is sad to see.
 
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There is no excuse after his last tour to continue playing him At the very least yasir should be holding an end up

Theres no excuse to have another tour where hes going @ 4-5 an over

Misbah is blind to a failure of a few namely azhar shafiq and shah
 
Not really, he is still best in sub continent type of pitches.Grooming couple of spinners along side him will help pak in long run.

His performances have gone dry. We need to try someone new. We can’t have a situation like Ajmal again. By adding more competition who knows he could probably improve as a player.
 
Inzamam-ul-Haq's comments on Yasir Shah:

"Yasir Shah struggled last time also, until he learns a googly or he can deceive batsmen, he will not be effective against any batsman now. No batsman will be afraid of him. If you give 200-250 runs and pick up 4-5 wickets, this performance can't win you a match. Yasir is such a bowler that if he learns the googly - the man who can get 200 wickets with leg-spin, he can damage any team if he has the googly also. But if he doesn't do that, then he can't damage any team in conditions that don't favour spinners even a bit"
 
No control, no variety, no googly, no spin, no fitness, no gameplan.
 
No control, no variety, no googly, no spin, no fitness, no gameplan.

That fat in his belly have been there from his first year. It is embarrassing to see that on a big screen, but I guess he just does not care and thinks of himself as a very fit guy.
 
No control, no variety, no googly, no spin, no fitness, no gameplan.
No change from

2016 in England - averaged 41
2016-17 in Australia and New Zealand - averaged 93
2018-19 in South Africa - averaged 123

You complained in an earlier thread that Shadab averages 38 outside Asia.

What wouldn’t we all give for a leggie averaging 38 in this series?
 
These Misbah fans are truly shameless. Look at what’s happening in front of you

Can't take wickets, fine. But why can't you control your economy rate? Going at 6 RPO is criminal, and Yasir has been guilty of doing it all the time in SENA..
Last time Yasir Shah also went for 6 an over in Australia.

So Musbah promoted him to open the bowling.

In a Sydney Test!

And, by the same process, the genius who decided to open the bowling with Yasir Shah in Australia got promoted to be Head Coach. And Chief Selector too!
 
I think he is finished tbh.

No point playing a spinner who is only useful at home, but his stats in QEA are inferior to other spinners.

No control, discipline from one of your senior bowlers.

But we will continue to persist with him.

I don't understand why there can't be a courses for courses rationale when selecting rather than blindly picking a leg spinner who has no control.
 
Atleast he has been scoring more runs than the batsmen. Granted its been in his bowling.
 
Yasir Shah - when told he couldnt bowl to Steven Smith

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Yasir Shah vs Steve Smith analysis

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He is done , in the previous match it was evident. Why tool kashif bhatti when you can't play him as a replacement if Yasir shah fails?
 
Saved from another 200 run humiliation by an Australian declaration - also maybe Azhar kept him away at 197 runs conceded and waited for the declaration?
 
Can I just mention it's not just Yasir Shah that doesn't deserve a spot in the side - we have 2 inept openers, including the captain that should've been given the boot but instead given the captaincy.

Masood who in my opinion is the most overrated player I have seen for a while and he continues his shambles of a career.

Iftikhar isn't a Test player. He may play a rescue act in limited over cricket but he doesn't have the know-how or authority in Tests.

Also I felt sorry for Musa. The boy obviously needs time in international cricket, and yet in our great coaching wisdom he's was left high and dry on a flat pitch, away from home and against a top side.

I've already spoken about Yasir Shah so I won't bother about him.

All in all the issues stem from a defensive and rather pathetic coaching set up and an equally defensive and pathetic coach.

I never had high hopes for Misbah/Waqar when they were picked for the job, but early signs are even worse than I had imagined.
 
Now that Yasir Shah's been given a central contract, its clear he's the main spinner for the England tour should it go ahead. My question is this the right investment given he's in poor form and performs poorly away from home?

In the last 4 years, Shah has an average of 61 away from home. Okay so this has been inflated due to the expected battering he took in Australia and ending 2019 with 120. Prior to this, his average away from home: 2018 - 44, 2017 - 31, 2016 - 48

Even in the recent matches at home (Pakistan) against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, his average was 44. Now I don't like to kick a man when he's down but what is the purpose of pursuing with Shah? A guy in his mid thirties, surely, its time to invest in younger players who could do a better job?

The English aren't stupid and will be well aware of Shah's current performance and will target him rendering him out of the attack. What exactly is Shah going to do now that he hasn't in the past? He had a good match at Lords, but that was 4 years ago and hasn't replicated anything like that since away from home.
 
I think the main reason behind backing Yasir is (you guys would know better, but I do a lot of reading about Pak cricket) that Yasir was over-bowled and he's lost his zip. I remember Warne was also ineffective for a short while even after returning from that injury of his. So I'm sure, Yasir must be having enough time to recover and do a bit of rehabilitation work. Plus, it's not that Shadab or any other bowler in the circuit are in such great form.
 
Now that Yasir Shah's been given a central contract, its clear he's the main spinner for the England tour should it go ahead. My question is this the right investment given he's in poor form and performs poorly away from home?

In the last 4 years, Shah has an average of 61 away from home. Okay so this has been inflated due to the expected battering he took in Australia and ending 2019 with 120. Prior to this, his average away from home: 2018 - 44, 2017 - 31, 2016 - 48

Even in the recent matches at home (Pakistan) against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, his average was 44. Now I don't like to kick a man when he's down but what is the purpose of pursuing with Shah? A guy in his mid thirties, surely, its time to invest in younger players who could do a better job?

The English aren't stupid and will be well aware of Shah's current performance and will target him rendering him out of the attack. What exactly is Shah going to do now that he hasn't in the past? He had a good match at Lords, but that was 4 years ago and hasn't replicated anything like that since away from home.

He will be going to england and will be main bowler yes I agree that he has been poor away from home but they dont have much options only a few top of my self gohar,sajid,umer Khan.
If they did take someone young and he fails in first series they will kick him out straightaway.

Thiers only stokes who can do that for england all the rest are not attacking minded they ain't the best batting side tbh
 
He will be going to england and will be main bowler yes I agree that he has been poor away from home but they dont have much options only a few top of my self gohar,sajid,umer Khan.
If they did take someone young and he fails in first series they will kick him out straightaway.

Thiers only stokes who can do that for england all the rest are not attacking minded they ain't the best batting side tbh

His economy has been rubbish as well. So not only will playing Yasir give the opposition an advantage but also relief as well.

they dont have much options only a few top of my self gohar,sajid,umer Khan.

I'd be inclined to at least try one of these options. Why take a non performing player for the sake of it?
 
Yasir Shah has lost it completely. He showed good promise for a while but simply faded away.
 
BCCI must do all they can to ensure Yasir Shah stays in Pakistan team and they play Australia as much as possible because Yasir is the Kryptonite to Steven Smith.

If we have to ensure Kohli retiree greatest of this era unquestionably then Yasir has to play a lot against Australia. Whatever it takes.
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