Shane Warne criticises Yasir Shah for employing negative tactics

A day after rating Yasir Shah as the best spinner in the world among the current crop, legendary spinner Shane Warne has accused him and the whole Pakistan team for employing negative tactics in the 3rd day of the opening Test at Brisbane. The former leg-spinner who had worked briefly with Yasir was pretty disappointed with his approach in Australia’s 2nd innings.

During an interaction with Channel 9 yesterday Warne had rated Yasir very highly and placed him ahead of India’s Ravichandran Ashwin who is currently having a dream run in the longest format of the game. Warne felt that Yasir was a bowler for all conditions and had an Australian attitude within him but after his negative tactics on the 3rd day of the 1st Test, Warne has come hard against him and stated despite being the best bowler he is not learning fast.

Speaking to Channel 9 Warne said, “When you play in a new country where you haven’t played and you want to learn how to bowl there, you’ve got to learn from the first innings. Yasir Shah bowled 40-odd overs, took a couple of wickets, bowled better than that, but he’s started exactly the same way to the left-handers (in the second innings).

“He’s got a 6-3 field on the on-side and he’s bowling outside leg stump to the left-handers. I just can’t believe that.

“We saw Nathan Lyon turn and bounce the ball, too, so Yasir Shah would have thought, ‘Ok, the question I need to ask myself, how am I getting left-handers out?’

“Bowled, LBW, bat-pad, caught slip – you’re not going to get that if you’re bowling a foot outside leg stump.

“I just can’t believe he hasn’t learnt that from the first innings. It’s really disappointing because he’s a smart cricketer.

“He’s the best spin bowler in the world at the moment and he’s just not learning quick enough.”

Warne said that there was enough assistance in the Brisbane wicket for Shah “to cause the Aussies some real hassle”. “To use him in a defensive manner, sure there’s a time and place for that, but right now when you’re trying to get back into the game – the only way you can do that is take these wickets,” said Warne, pointing to Australia’s 287-run first innings lead.

“Who’s coming up with these plans? Is it the captain? Is it the bowler? You’ve got to ask the question because it just doesn’t make any sense.

Pakistan hasn’t won a single Test in Australia since 1995 and will be looking forward to winning their first ever Test series Down Under.