ENG vs PAK: Star Pakistani player ruled out of England tour

The 31-year old Pakistani leg-spinner Yasir Shah has been ruled out of the upcoming tour against England and Ireland. Yasir sustained a groin fracture last week that sees him out of the Test matches staged to play against Ireland and England in May 2018.

A veteran of 28 Tests, must be gutted with this untimely injury that drops curtains over his chances to represent Pakistan in this English summer. Being the premier spinner for his national side in the longest format, the loss is huge for the Sarfaraz led Pakistan side.

Missed the fitness test at NCA in Lahore

Shah missed the fitness test held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore along with spin-bowling all-rounder Imad Wasim and fast-bowler Sohail Khan, who are also injured. Although, this offers an opportunity for the young leg-spinner in Shadab Khan who is highly likely to replace Yasir in the whites for Pakistan. The 19-year old will be ecstatic to make a mark in the longest format given he has already witnessed much success in his short spanned career for the men in green in the limited overs set-up.

The fitness test in Lahore also saw some of the young guns from the recently concluded PSL, with 17-year-old Lahore Qalanadars pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi joining the Islamabad United batting trio of Asif Ali, Hussain Talat and Sahibzada Farhan. Players were invited to show their skills and will be adjudged on the basis of their fitness as they hope to get a chance at the next level.

Team announcement after the fitness test

Fawad Alam is also part of the fitness test but his chances of selection for the national squad seem slim despite his continued stellar performances in domestic cricket. The team for the upcoming Test matches is likely to be announced after the fitness tests.

Pakistan is due to play a two-Test series against England beginning May 24 at the home of cricket before they play a solitary 5-day game against Ireland team from May 11.