The Pakistan captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, has described an injury scare to Yasir Shah as a “wake-up call” for his players and warned them to expect an improved performance from England after the hosts’ collective struggle against the leg-spinner at Lord’s.
Yasir, who claimed 10 wickets in the series opener, is fit for Friday’s second Test, having been taken for a scan on Wednesday following a blow to his left shoulder when batting in the nets. The No1 Test bowler in the world is now expected to enjoy an Old Trafford pitch offering additional bounce, but Misbah is wary of the focus being on one man.
“It was a wake-up call,” said Misbah, following Yasir’s hospital trip. “It was a bit of a concern but after the scan – it was precautionary – I think he’s OK, so no worries.”
On the expectation for Yasir to relish a more spin-friendly surface, he replied: “It doesn’t matter which ground we play. If a bowler is really good, he can produce results anywhere. He bowled beautifully in the first Test but all the bowlers need to bowl well, not just Yasir. All four need to step up. If they play Yasir well, we should have other plans.”
While Pakistan are expected to be unchanged, Ben Stokes will be one of at least two changes to England’s XI, in what will be his first Test since knee surgery at the end of May. The all-rounder has stated that controlled aggression may be the way forward against Yasir, an approach that Misbah appeared to welcome.
He said: “They can try to attack Yasir, it’s up to them what they want to do. Stokes can give a lot of strength in the England side. We have to be ready for that challenge and Yasir knows that.”
Misbah will be aware of India’s decline during their visit to England two years ago, when MS Dhoni’s tourists took a 1-0 lead after victory at Lord’s but then lost the series 3-1.
Pakistan’s joyous celebrations last Sunday, Misbah claimed, must now be put to bed, adding: “We fully respect England. We know their strengths and we have to really work hard in the next three Tests and we’re ready for that.”
The spin threat posed by Pakistan may yet increase as the tour goes on, with the tourists considering whether to submit their opening batsman, Mohammad Hafeez, for retesting on his bowling action between the second and third Tests.
Hafeez, who has taken 227 international wickets, was given a 12-month ban in July last year after his elbow was shown to exceed the permitted 15-degree limit but is now cleared to submit his action for testing at Loughborough’s ICC-accredited centre.