"We know South Africa haven't played a top-quality leg-spinner in three years" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

[Abdullah719]

"We know South Africa haven't played a top-quality leg-spinner in three years" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan skipper, has said that Yasir Shah will be his big ace ahead of the South Africa Test series, adding that the hosts "haven't played a top-quality leg-spinner in three years".

Yasir Shah, who has claimed 37 Test wickets in just 10 innings this year, has been a revelation with the ball for Pakistan, especially on the dry surfaces in the United Arab Emirates. The Asian team now move away from spinning wickets to seam-friendly conditions in South Africa, but Ahmed remains confident of Shah making a dent in the Proteas batting order.

"If you talk about South Africa's Test series against Sri Lanka recently, the pitch was different. All foreign teams struggle there, just like all Asian teams come to South Africa and struggle here. Here, the conditions are different but we do have a world-class spinner," said Sarfraz ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

"He took 200 wickets in 33 Tests and we know South Africa haven't played a top-quality leg-spinner in three years. So we have an advantage, we have Yasir Shah, and hopefully, they will struggle against him."

Pakistan do not have a very good record against the Proteas in South Africa, winning just two of 12 Tests there. They have succumbed to nine defeats in the remaining 10 games, drawing just one. Ahmed is confident ahead of the tour despite these numbers, saying that Pakistan "have a coach who has coached in South Africa".

"We have clarity about what we'll do because we have a coach who has coached in South Africa. If you talk about the history of Centurion pitches, the fourth innings is very difficult here," he pointed out. Whoever wins the toss would like to bat first. No one would want to bat in the fourth innings if they're chasing over 200."

Top-order batsman Azhar Ali, too, exuded self-assurance ahead of the three-Test series and believes it is a "very exciting challenge".

"The morale of the team is very good," he insisted. "Everybody is working really hard and is up for the challenge. It's a very exciting challenge obviously, which brings lots of opportunities and everyone is looking forward to it."

The first of three Tests between South Africa and Pakistan will begin from Boxing Day, 26 December, at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/954266

 

[Abdullah719]

ok

 

[Amirforpresident]

So what basically will happen is that we will bowl first, then bat, bowl again in which Yasir will not get the chance to bowl on day 4 and 5 and he will have no impact in the match at all

 

[Ab Fan]

While Yasir is no doubt a world class bowler and always a huge threat to opposition, it remains to be seen how much effective he can be in South Africa.

With Yasir, Abbas, Hasan and Shaheen, Pakistan bowling is quite formidable but at the same time, batting is mediocre as hell. It is the batting that has lost Pakistan matches/series in recent series.

 

[MenInG]

View attachment 86749

ok

Sarfaraz Khan! Well done ICC.

 

[cricketindiafan]

First shots fired. Need some spice, some confrontations and good banter in the holiday season tests.

Did Faf respond by talking about Yasir’s record outside Asia or a reference to home series loss?

 

[Brilliance]

Well somebody should show Sarfaraz the exploits of this world class outside Asia.

 

[Junaids]

What a fool!

Two of the three Tests are at venues where spinners don’t even get a bowl.

Plus has he forgotten that the South Africans practice against Imran Tahir all the time?

 

[Hawkeye]

Yasir is a UAE bully, nothing else - and he's setting up himself for more humiliation.

When do we kick this joker out? Embarrassment for team Pakistan, Sarf.

 

[Hasan123]

Unnessacry statements. We should concentrate on our own team instead of making public statements about the opponents weakness.

 

[MenInG]

Unnessacry statements. We should concentrate on our own team instead of making public statements about the opponents weakness.

Remember Sarf doesnt make statements out of the blue. He is asked questions.

 

[Syed1]

Well somebody should show Sarfaraz the exploits of this world class outside Asia.

I'm guessing you are also counting his two match winning performances in England or perhaps in your haste to come across as stupid you forgot about it.

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan skipper, has said that Yasir Shah will be his big ace ahead of the South Africa Test series, adding that the hosts "haven't played a top-quality leg-spinner in three years".

Yasir Shah, who has claimed 37 Test wickets in just 10 innings this year, has been a revelation with the ball for Pakistan, especially on the dry surfaces in the United Arab Emirates. The Asian team now move away from spinning wickets to seam-friendly conditions in South Africa, but Ahmed remains confident of Shah making a dent in the Proteas batting order.

"If you talk about South Africa's Test series against Sri Lanka recently, the pitch was different. All foreign teams struggle there, just like all Asian teams come to South Africa and struggle here. Here, the conditions are different but we do have a world-class spinner," said Sarfraz ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

"He took 200 wickets in 33 Tests and we know South Africa haven't played a top-quality leg-spinner in three years. So we have an advantage, we have Yasir Shah, and hopefully, they will struggle against him."

Pakistan do not have a very good record against the Proteas in South Africa, winning just two of 12 Tests there. They have succumbed to nine defeats in the remaining 10 games, drawing just one. Ahmed is confident ahead of the tour despite these numbers, saying that Pakistan "have a coach who has coached in South Africa".

"We have clarity about what we'll do because we have a coach who has coached in South Africa. If you talk about the history of Centurion pitches, the fourth innings is very difficult here," he pointed out. Whoever wins the toss would like to bat first. No one would want to bat in the fourth innings if they're chasing over 200."

Top-order batsman Azhar Ali, too, exuded self-assurance ahead of the three-Test series and believes it is a "very exciting challenge".

"The morale of the team is very good," he insisted. "Everybody is working really hard and is up for the challenge. It's a very exciting challenge obviously, which brings lots of opportunities and everyone is looking forward to it."

The first of three Tests between South Africa and Pakistan will begin from Boxing Day, 26 December, at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/954266

what mindset from sarfraz as a captain
mentally weak never seen sucha fragile captain already ready for excuses of toss .
if toss gone his way he gonna give abbas absence as an excuse im sure of that

 

[PakPremi]

I'm guessing you are also counting his two match winning performances in England or perhaps in your haste to come across as stupid you forgot about it.

Was going to say the same. Posters will keep bringing up his performance in Austria where Pak team did not bat well enough to create pressure. Test matches are team game so if you do not have pitches that heavily aide spinners then reliance is on pace bowlers. Well done to Yasir for putting doubts in mind of opposition that ploy worked against Australia bin UAE. In SA he may not be too effective but can already be tried as we do not really have world class pace attack.

 

[PakPremi]

what mindset from sarfraz as a captain
mentally weak never seen sucha fragile captain already ready for excuses of toss .
if toss gone his way he gonna give abbas absence as an excuse im sure of that

"We have advantage" States reality that toss would help either team . Oh what a weak captain LOL.
Sarfraz(dare I say Pak) haters are the ones that use any excuse to discredit team Pakistan Captain. The fragile captain is still the one who won you test series against Australia with his batting keeping and Captaincy. Sorry if that burns anyone.

 

[Syed1]

"We have advantage" States reality that toss would help either team . Oh what a weak captain LOL.
Sarfraz(dare I say Pak) haters are the ones that use any excuse to discredit team Pakistan Captain. The fragile captain is still the one who won you test series against Australia with his batting keeping and Captaincy. Sorry if that burns anyone.

These self-hating "fans" are the same ones who bump the Sarfaraz behavior thread after he shouts and screams when a batsman is dismissed, but are the first ones to praise Kohli for his "aggression" when he does the same.

 

[Abdul Moiz]

But SA have top quality spinner like Imran Tahir in their ranks who took 5fer against Pak in Dubai, 2013.

 

[Mirpur express]

lol they practice with one of the best leggies around *

 

[Stalin]

These self-hating "fans" are the same ones who bump the Sarfaraz behavior thread after he shouts and screams when a batsman is dismissed, but are the first ones to praise Kohli for his "aggression" when he does the same.

The difference is that Kohli's aggression is directed towards the opponents. You'll never see him shouting at his own players . All he gives is a stare and a disappointed horizontal nod when someone misfields or drops a dolly. But Sarfraz berates his players and sometimes even abuses them . And when you are a mediocre player like he is, it just looks extremely silly. Kohli instills confidence in his players whereas Sarfraz derails it. That's why, Sarfraz is often criticized for his behaviour.

 

[Syed1]

The difference is that Kohli's aggression is directed towards the opponents. You'll never see him shouting at his own players . All he gives is a stare and a disappointed horizontal nod when someone misfields or drops a dolly. But Sarfraz berates his players and sometimes even abuses them . And when you are a mediocre player like he is, it just looks extremely silly. Kohli instills confidence in his players whereas Sarfraz derails it. That's why, Sarfraz is often criticized for his behaviour.

Difference is Sarf is behind the stumps and you hear it all, while Kohli isn't. I have seen Kohli mouthing off at his fielders for misfields as well. However, my comment was regarding Sarf celebrating oppositions wickets by shouting and screaming which leads to people bumping the behaviour thread but same behaviour by Kohli is appreciated. Don't blame me for your lack of comprehension skills.

 

[Titan24]

If he can win us the series, i dont dont mind statements or his others characteristics.

If he cant, he needs to leave the test captaincy. Because loosing two home series after almost 7,8 years is an unpardonable offense unless he overcomes it by winning in SA.

 

[topspin]

Sarfraz is a clueless individual. SA's batsmen primary weakness is right arm finger spin and it was Moeen Ali who has taken 35 wickets against them in the longer format with two 5fers + 1 10fer coming at an average of 25. He was also Man of the Series in the away leg. Other than Bangladesh and SA, he averages 30+ against every other opposition. This stat simply reinforces how weak SA really are against right arm finger spin.

Yasir Shah doesn't have much to offer on non-turning wickets especially on the faster surfaces because his primary weapon of top spinners won't work. He doesn't have the mystery since his other variations such as the googly and etc are virtually non existent and he doesn't bowl a big leg break.

 

[MMHS]

Centurion is probably SAF's strongest venue. Haven't checked data, but I can recall them absolutely smoking visitors in 3-4 days here often by innings. I think, ENG won an infamous Test here by narrow margin and once MoJo blew SAF; otherwise can't recall if SAF has ever lost at Centurion or even drew many. And, they have almost humiliated every Asian/WIN team here because of the seeming nature of the wicket. Abbas will be missed, but that somewhat evens out Phillander - not sure about Yasir though. It's not a track for spinners but oblate spin playing quality by every team suggests one spinner should play in every Test.

I have seen lot, but never expected that one day I'll see IND playing with 4 pacers against AUS and Aussies won that Test by virtue of an Offie winning MoM - so, Yasir plays, good, bad, ugly only time'll tell. Warne's only Test here earned him a figure like 36-11-89-0; but that was a different SAF. Also, I think wicket a Centurion has changed in recent times - it was among very few venues where one should blindly opt to bowl first (obviously no wonder, WY & PAK tank decided to bat first in 2003 WC game against IND despite over night rain which delayed the start by some times and that being a Day game with scorching sunshine forecast for whole afternoon ), but in recent times, it's getting difficult to chase - that again suggests Yasir should play. However, if Abbas was fit, I would have gone for 4 pacers - on a typical Centurion track, Abbas could be like Aswin or Miraz on turners, very difficult to score off, and can bowl for long, long spells.

 

[PakPremi]

Sarfraz is a clueless individual. SA's batsmen primary weakness is right arm finger spin and it was Moeen Ali who has taken 35 wickets against them in the longer format with two 5fers + 1 10fer coming at an average of 25. He was also Man of the Series in the away leg. Other than Bangladesh and SA, he averages 30+ against every other opposition. This stat simply reinforces how weak SA really are against right arm finger spin.

Yasir Shah doesn't have much to offer on non-turning wickets especially on the faster surfaces because his primary weapon of top spinners won't work. He doesn't have the mystery since his other variations such as the googly and etc are virtually non existent and he doesn't bowl a big leg break.

Which off spinner is in the squad, but of course that is also Sarfraz fault ?

 

[PakPremi]

If he can win us the series, i dont dont mind statements or his others characteristics.

If he cant, he needs to leave the test captaincy. Because loosing two home series after almost 7,8 years is an unpardonable offense unless he overcomes it by winning in SA.

No one would disagree with this but in reality chanc s of this Pak team winning the series is very low. I be happy with one win. In either case Sarfraz needs to quit test captaincy to ease the burden on himself and focus on scoring 30s like other world keepers.

 

[Robert]

As I recall, England sussed Yasir out after a test in England. I don’t think he travels well.

 

[PakPremi]

As I recall, England sussed Yasir out after a test in England. I don’t think he travels well.

He also bowled well in last test. Spinners need help from pitches to be effective other pitches did not suit his bowling, and Cook specifically played him well to give England flying start.

 

[TeymurBlake]

So is he really saying that with Abbas injured for the first test, Yasir is now our main weapon against the Saffers.

 

[Ahmed216]

Imagine steve waugh telling langer and gilly before Hobart test 1999 that maximum we can chase down is 200.
Sarfraz is mediocre and pressure of captaincy is too much for him.
He couldnt sleep during Asia Cup.
All he thinks about is defeat.
Pak team has a very poor future if he stays in for long.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

As I recall, England sussed Yasir out after a test in England. I don’t think he travels well.

Bit strange since he won us 2 Tests in that series.

 

[Buffet]

As I recall, England sussed Yasir out after a test in England. I don’t think he travels well.

He may do better with a poor SA batting line up.

 

[Justcrazy]

Big test for Yasir , he needs to win some games outside subcontinent to be considered among the best

 

[Buffet]

Bit strange since he won us 2 Tests in that series.

Match was won by Pakistan scoring around 550 in first inning and Pakistan bowling out Eng within 350 in first inning.

200 runs lead in first inning was far more instrumental in winning that test than Yasir picking wickets after all that had happened.

Yasir did contribute, but match was not won by him there. First test is a good example of Yasir winning the match by out sized contribution.

 

[Buffet]

Just to put it in perspective,

Only 6 times in entire history of cricket, Team has won after conceding 200+ lead. Any team taking 200+ lead is huge favorite to win form that position.

 

[Markhor]

Why the need for such comments on the eve of a Test ?

Sarfraz needs to show some humility. Thanks to him we lost to NZ at home for the first time since 1969 - when Yahya Khan was in Office and The Beatles were number one in the charts.

Concentrate on our team and your performance first.

 

[BaankeJi]

Honest question - Who are the other leg spinners going around currently? We have Adil Rashid and Imran Tahir. Rashid does not want to play tests.

 

[PakPremi]

Just to put it in perspective,

Only 6 times in entire history of cricket, Team has won after conceding 200+ lead. Any team taking 200+ lead is huge favorite to win form that position.

If Sarfraz says that according to some posters he is fragile.

 

[PakPremi]

He may have been asked the question. And we did not lose at home but on a neutral ground UAE with no home squad, ground or crowd advantages.(replying to Makhoor)

 

[PakPremi]

Match was won by Pakistan scoring around 550 in first inning and Pakistan bowling out Eng within 350 in first inning.

200 runs lead in first inning was far more instrumental in winning that test than Yasir picking wickets after all that had happened.

Yasir did contribute, but match was not won by him there. First test is a good example of Yasir winning the match by out sized contribution.

Bottom line is he bowled well to take wickets. test is two innings game. Even if you are behind if opposition do not bowl well in second inning you can turn tables.

 

[MMHS]

Why the need for such comments on the eve of a Test ?

Sarfraz needs to show some humility. Thanks to him we lost to NZ at home for the first time since 1969 - when Yahya Khan was in Office and The Beatles were number one in the charts.

Concentrate on our team and your performance first.

I think, this is mainly due to poor communication skills. He speaks too fast and often responds instantly without thinking much. Not sure if this press conference was in English, but he is poor even in Urdu. Needs guidance for his press conferences. Even if it’s true, Captains don’t talk like that (Leg spinner comment) - he has put more pressure on Yasir than SAF here.

 

[Abdul]

These self-hating "fans" are the same ones who bump the Sarfaraz behavior thread after he shouts and screams when a batsman is dismissed, but are the first ones to praise Kohli for his "aggression" when he does the same.

Kohli has got the performances to back up his aggression whereas Sarfaraz is just a fake phony on the other hand.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Sarfraz can't stay quiet and prepare for a series can he?

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Yasir is not going to win you tests in south Africa that's for sure.Mr.captain dumb once again making dumb statements.

 

[gazza619]

If we win Yasir will play a massive role.!

 

[Robert]

He also bowled well in last test. Spinners need help from pitches to be effective other pitches did not suit his bowling, and Cook specifically played him well to give England flying start.

He got a fivefer on day five of the test at the Oval with scoreboard pressure to help him. But it was notable that in tests two and three he was not effective - his length was wrong and he wasn’t getting the lbw shouts which are a huge percentage of his home wickets.

 

[aukhan]

Sarfraz suffers from same verbal diarrhea that Afridi suffered from.

Bas baatein ban walo is say!

 

[Markhor]

Stop running your mouth and focus on your batting which continues to nosedive to new lows.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

He's talking as if he's still playing in the UAE.

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

Pathetic player and we have a him as a captain...sighssss

 

[MenInG]

So here is a chance for Yasir Shah to show what he can do in South Africa.

 

[Buffet]

If Sarfraz says that according to some posters he is fragile.

That's irrational then. I recon they are getting impacted by their opinion on Sarfraz rather than focusing on what he is saying.

 

[MenInG]

Afraid Yasir has failed badly in the match so far with ball and bat - unlikely he will play any part in the rest of the game

 

[AAli98]

Unless ur name is shane warne legspinner does jack in 1st innings especially on a lively wicket as this one.main job is to contain & pick up a wicket here & there

2nd innings is where he earns his $$$ 3rd/4th innings day 4/5 wins you the game.

But paks pathetic batsman don’t take the game into 4/5th day & don’t put enough runs on the board.

 

[blackanhyellow]

Afraid Yasir has failed badly in the match so far with ball and bat - unlikely he will play any part in the rest of the game

Its not considered a failure if you were only made to bowl 4 overs.

Its more the failure of team management not analyzing the pitch properly, selecting a specialist spinner, and then deciding it isn't a pitch where spinners should be bowling mid way through the match.

 

[Buffet]

Hopefully he bowls more than 4 overs in 2nd inning. Pakistan could have used another pacer here.

 

[MenInG]

Its not considered a failure if you were only made to bowl 4 overs.

Its more the failure of team management not analyzing the pitch properly, selecting a specialist spinner, and then deciding it isn't a pitch where spinners should be bowling mid way through the match.

He shouldnt have been played in my view.

 

[Ab Fan]

4 pacers was the way to go on this pitch but personally, I don't rate Faheem's batting, which is why before the match, I might have went with Yasir itself.

 

[BaankeJi]

Yasir will perform well.

 

[MenInG]

One for Yasir Shah finally!

 

[Mamoon]

Everyone knew that Yasir was not going to be a big factor in Centurion, but that did not deter our inspirational leader from running his mouth.

He then proceeded to give him 8 overs across two innings. Sarfraz is a gift that keeps on giving.

Considering his own performance, the team’s performance as well as his statements, he is proper sledging material. Luckily he is not in Australia right now.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

We know South Africa haven't played such poor-quality batsmen(Azhar, Asad, Captain) in their life

 

[Gullycricket]

Still SA didn't play a quality leg spinner as he didn't bowl much

 

[Buffet]

2nd inning for Pakistani bowlers,

Amir 20/0
Ali 39/1
Afridi 53/1
Yasir 20/1

Best figures among all Pakistani bowler in 2nd inning. He is going to be crucial in 2nd test.

 

[topspin]

2nd inning for Pakistani bowlers,

Amir 20/0
Ali 39/1
Afridi 53/1
Yasir 20/1

Best figures among all Pakistani bowler in 2nd inning. He is going to be crucial in 2nd test.

Although Cape Town is known to be a drier surface that aids spin bowlers, Pakistan will probably play Shadab given the frailty of the batting.

Also Yasir Shah isn't that effective outside Asia. Neither is he economical in holding up and end nor is he a prolific wicket taker

 

[Buffet]

Although Cape Town is known to be a drier surface that aids spin bowlers, Pakistan will probably play Shadab given the frailty of the batting.

Also Yasir Shah isn't that effective outside Asia. Neither is he economical in holding up and end nor is he a prolific wicket taker

I would like to see Yasir play.

 

[topspin]

This statement by Yasir is like someone running their mouth with an empty gun.

 

[topspin]

I would like to see Yasir play.

If I was a Protea so would I and hope for the team to emulate what the Aussies did to him in similar conditions (bouncy, non-turning wickets).

 

[Pete Rose]

I think he had a good match given the limited opportunities

 

[greatest]

So according to him S.A are so hopeless against leg spin that even on a green mamba his champion bowler will win him the game just like he does on slow pitches in the U.A.E.

Haha..Sarfraz thought South Africa are just like his own team which never improves and never learns from their mistakes.

 

[Buffet]

If I was a Protea so would I and hope for the team to emulate what the Aussies did to him in similar conditions (bouncy, non-turning wickets).

My comment was mostly to help SA, but to be fair SA has pitches with more assistance than some of the roads Aus serve. Next test may help Yasir more, but I will wait to see pitch 30 minutes before the start to make that call.

 

[BreadPakoda]

2nd inning for Pakistani bowlers,

Amir 20/0
Ali 39/1
Afridi 53/1
Yasir 20/1

Best figures among all Pakistani bowler in 2nd inning. He is going to be crucial in 2nd test.

Knew some one would straight away pick up stats and make such a judgement out of it.
Sir, please note the context and background of the wicket. A 20 averaging South African eyes closed stepped out to smash Yasir out of the park to finish the game quickly. The ball kept low and he got stumped.
Can we really conclude that Yasir will be “crucial” in second test basis this?

 

[Buffet]

Knew some one would straight away pick up stats and make such a judgement out of it.
Sir, please note the context and background of the wicket. A 20 averaging South African eyes closed stepped out to smash Yasir out of the park to finish the game quickly. The ball kept low and he got stumped.
Can we really conclude that Yasir will be “crucial” in second test basis this?

If you had read subsequent comment, it was clear that it was light hearted comment. He shouldn't have played this test.

 

[Abdullah719]

2nd inning for Pakistani bowlers,

Amir 20/0
Ali 39/1
Afridi 53/1
Yasir 20/1

Best figures among all Pakistani bowler in 2nd inning. He is going to be crucial in 2nd test.

You omitted Shan Masood's figures.

Sarfaraz before the next Test: We know South Africa haven't played a top quality dibbly dobbler ever.

 

[Usman Chadda]

4 pacers was the way to go on this pitch but personally, I don't rate Faheem's batting, which is why before the match, I might have went with Yasir itself.

Faheem is a much better batsman than Yasir, and a seamer who would have been useful on this pitch. You are passing your judgment without having seen him play.

 

[New Yorker]

Although Cape Town is known to be a drier surface that aids spin bowlers, Pakistan will probably play Shadab given the frailty of the batting.

Also Yasir Shah isn't that effective outside Asia. Neither is he economical in holding up and end nor is he a prolific wicket taker

Except when he takes 10 wickets in England or Windies.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Although Cape Town is known to be a drier surface that aids spin bowlers, Pakistan will probably play Shadab given the frailty of the batting.

Also Yasir Shah isn't that effective outside Asia. Neither is he economical in holding up and end nor is he a prolific wicket taker

Yasir Shah is a more attacking option. But the problem with Yasir is that if he plays and you want to accommodate Faheem you drop one pacer. This is why Mickey probably will opt for Shady UNLESS you play 5 bowlers which is very risky considering Sarfraz's form.

IF Rizwan plays then you can consider 5 bowlers.

 

[Hasan123]

So called tactican talks about South Africa not being able to play leg spin than hardly bowls the leg spinner. Before his fans attack me by saying the pitch wasn't favourable for Yasir , since he is such a great tactican he should have made himself aware of the conditions before the game.

 

[topspin]

Yasir Shah is a more attacking option. But the problem with Yasir is that if he plays and you want to accommodate Faheem you drop one pacer. This is why Mickey probably will opt for Shady UNLESS you play 5 bowlers which is very risky considering Sarfraz's form.

IF Rizwan plays then you can consider 5 bowlers.

Yes unfortunately with Pakistan's batting woes, they can ill afford to carry another tail ender in the XI with the inclusion of a 5th bowler.

I actually think 4 bowlers is suffice if Abbas is playing and certainly would be if Pakistan possessed a quality right arm off spinner like Nathan Lyon as well.

This specialist captain is so out of his depth here with this statement about SA not having played a "quality leg spinner" in 3 years because their woes have actually come against right arm offies. If we cast our minds back to their home and away series against England, it was Moeen Ali who was running through them. Not to forget he was also the man of the series after England won in SA.

Which is why I would've like to have seen Bilal Asif given a chance. He gets steep bounce naturally due to his height and on a bouncy wicket, I believe he would have been a handful for SA batsmen to negotiate. At the same time I appreciate his batting isn't good enough to provide adequate tail end resistance but neither is Yasir's and although Shadab can, he isn't there yet at test level as a full time leg spinner. I don't have much hope in him succeeding if he is to be picked (to replace Yasir) however we need tail end runs more than his leg spin bowling. After all the difference between the 1st innings scores was equal to the total runs scored by Rabada and Steyn.

 

[MMHS]

So called tactican talks about South Africa not being able to play leg spin than hardly bowls the leg spinner. Before his fans attack me by saying the pitch wasn't favourable for Yasir , since he is such a great tactican he should have made himself aware of the conditions before the game.

If Yasir is dropped for 2nd Test, it’ll be quite hilarious for Sarfraz to explain why they played Yasir on SAF’s least spin friendly track and then despite SAF’s limitation (of not playing a quality leggi in 3 years), why he is dropped on the most spin friendly surface?

But, I do think Yasir was hard done by this batsmen - 181 or 148 are too small total for any spinner to come into play.

 

[topspin]

Except when he takes 10 wickets in England or Windies.

Look I can cherry pick a few games to fit your narrative but if we look at his bowling performances in Aus, NZ (although he hardly played) and SA so far you'll see that overall outside SC he has been largely mediocre.

WI is unique to all the wickets outside the SC because of the slow, dry nature of the surfaces baked under the heat. It is almost SC like conditions there. Also WI's test batsmen are poor players of spin bowling, so it wouldn't surprise me if he was to run through them on a neutral ground.

In England he bowled well in Lords which was actually more SC like in nature (low bounce and spin on offer) but nonetheless it was a brilliant display of leg spin bowling. But in less receptive conditions for spin bowling (Old Trafford and Edgbaston during that tour), he was exposed.

The reason why he won't be successful outside the SC in non-SC conditions is for the following reasons:

1. Doesn't bowl a big leg break
2. Limited variations - other than his top spinner, he doesn't possess a potent googly, flipper etc
3. Lacks control and bowling intelligence - appreciate wrist spinners will bowl rubbish but when Yasir is under the pump he doesn't know how to respond

Look at things technically rather than just from a pure statistical standpoint.