Peter Handscomb wants to take on Yasir Shah head on

Australian batsman Peter Handscomb who has got a big reputation of being one of the finest players of spin bowling is in eager anticipation to get the chance of facing Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Pakistan who thrashed Cricket Australia XI on Saturday by 210 runs will face Australia in a three-match Test series starting from December 15 at the Gabba, Brisbane.

With the 1st Test being a day-night affair, Handscomb feels Yasir Shah could prove to be a lethal weapon for the visitors if he proves his fitness. “He’s a world-class bowler,” said Handscomb who arrived with the Australian team in Brisbane ahead of the first Test. “Personally, I am looking forward to getting out there and seeing what it is like to face him.”

He continued: “I haven’t seen a great deal of him. But I would dare say he would be able to use the bounce at the Gabba and turn the ball as well.”

Yasir Shah who is recuperating from a back injury missed the tour game against CA XI. Teenage sensation Mohammed Asghar was called up as a cover for Shah in case he fails to recover in time for the series. Despite the dilemma surrounding his selection, Handscomb who scored a fluent fifty in his Test debut against South Africa very recently is getting to ready to face the Yasir challenge in case the leggie is picked for the opening Test.

“I have never faced him before but I am sure he will be difficult and hard to pick with the pink ball,” said Handscomb. “I am going to enjoy the challenge of getting out there and seeing what happens.”

Meanwhile, the youngster is still unaware of how the Pink ball will behave under lights. “Those guys [Steven Smith and David Warner] have played pink-ball Shield games here so we will be looking at them to get an understanding of what the wicket and ball might do,” he said. “Playing more and more with the pink ball, you start to get an understanding of how it does react.

He added: “But it does vary from place to place. I have played most of mine down south, not at the Gabba under lights,”Handscomb told Yahoo New Zealand.