Yasir Shah is a world-class bowler: Taylor

dubai — While New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor doffed his hat to Yasir Shah, the Pakistan leg-spinner admitted that he never dreamed of taking 10 wickets on a day in Test cricket.

“When I came in the morning, I was thinking that I had to take 10 wickets in the match. I didn’t know that I would end up taking 10 wickets in a day,” said Yasir after his performance put Pakistan in a commanding position in the second Test against New Zealand.

The 32-year-old leg-spinner then explained why he wasn’t so successful against Australia last month.

“Against Australia, I was getting my rhythm back slowly because I was just coming back from injury. You need time to get your rhythm after an injury,” he said. “Today I bowled really well. I had worked hard in training.”

Yasir admitted that he sometimes feels the pressure of expectations whenever he plays for Pakistan in the UAE — a country where he has taken 100 Test wickets. “Yes I do feel it sometimes. Here the spinners get more wickets. The wickets help the spinners more. So it also puts pressure on you because everyone expects you to take wickets. So you need to work even harder,” he said. Taylor, on the other hand, said Yasir was among the best spinners he has faced in his 11-year Test career.

“It was a bit disconcerting when Yasir’s record came on the screen as I was coming out to bat,” he smiled.

“He is a world-class spinner. And obviously in these conditions, he is outstanding. I mean 32 matches and 15 five fors. I have been fortunate enough to play against some very good spinners in my career, he is definitely up there.”

Taylor, who remained not out on 49 off 53 balls in the second innings, says New Zealand need to learn from first innings centurions Babar Azam and Haris Sohail if they want to save this Test.