Kent sign Yasir Shah for four County Championship matches

English Cricket Club Kent has signed Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah for four County Championship matches, and is due to debut on 8 June. Yasir will play his first game for Kent against Durham. Despite being one of Pakistan’s leading spinners, Yasir was unlucky to miss out from Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad. His stint with Kent will hence not clash with the Champions Trophy campaign.

The leggie will have his first experience of playing in a foreign club. Until now, Yasir has played for clubs within Pakistan, most recently for the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League. Of late, he has been in a brilliant form for Pakistan. Most notably he bagged a 7-for against West Indies in the second Test at Bridgetown. Yasir finished with 22 wickets in a riveting series of Test cricket against the Windies, which Pakistan clinched 2-1.

The 31-year-old made his first-class debut in February 2002 but had to wait for nine years to play international cricket. He was recalled when Saeed Ajmal was banned for chucking in September 2014. The leggie then grabbed the opportunity with both hands and bagged 12 wickets in his debut Test series, in which Pakistan went on to whitewash the mighty Australians 2-0.

Legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne heaped praises for Yasir; he was particularly impressed by his “energy and shape on the ball, also his over spinner and patience,” and proclaimed he would finish with more than 200 Test wickets.

The Pakistani later became the quickest bowler from his nation to 50 Test wickets, getting there in nine matches. His milestone came during an inspiring performance which led his side to a 2-1 series win in Sri Lanka and he concluded the tour with 24 wickets.

Yasir is set to make his first appearance for the English club at Canterbury’s St Lawrence Ground. As per his four-match deal, he will play against Durham, Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.