Manchester: Mushtaq Ahmed credited Yasir Shah for improving himself and gaining form after the right-arm leg-spinner bagged four wickets to help Pakistan bowl out England for 219 in the first inning of the opening Test.
Speaking to reporters after stumps on day 3 at Old Trafford, the spin bowling coach said he worked with Yasir on his bowling style. “I worked with him on his style and asked him to bowl with complete action. We backed him completely during the play and he successfully bagged wickets for his team,” he said.
Mushtaq also praised Shadab who bowled well alongside Yasir in the last phase of first inning. “The pitch favored equally to pacers and spinners. Shadab also bowled well and supported Yasir. My focus is to make good relation with spinners and make them competent to fight in the ground,” he highlighted.
Talking about match situation, Mushtaq said 30 to 35 more runs will help Pakistan defend the target. “We lost early wickets today with no strong partnership. I think we have to deal with this situation and 30 to 35 more runs will help us defend the target. We have good options in our bowling and they can defend the total,” he concluded.
It must be noted here that Pakistan has 244-runs lead over England in the first Test. Pakistan closed day 3 at 237-8 with Yasir (12) and Mohammad Abbas (0) at the crease. – Agencies
