Pakistan’s selectors on Wednesday recalled fit again Yasir Shah for next month’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
The 36-year-old played his last 46 Tests in the West Indies 11 months ago but was not picked due to lack of fitness, missing a series in Bangladesh and another series at home against Australia.
Yasir began his career in 2014, becoming the fastest to 200 Test wickets after 33 matches four years later, while anchoring Pakistan’s spin attack.
He now has 235 wickets in 46 Tests.
Chief selector Mohammad Wasim said the inclusion of Yasir would improve the team’s spin attack.
Wasim said, “Our spin department has been strengthened with the return of Yasir, who has proved himself to be a match winner.
Yasir took 24 wickets in Pakistan’s 2-1 win during his last tour of Sri Lanka in 2015.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday announced the schedule of Pakistan’s tour next month.
“Pakistan will play a three-day warm-up match in Colombo from July 11-13 while the first Test will be played in Galle from July 16-20,” the SLC said.
The second Test will be played in Colombo from July 24-28.
Slow left-arm bowler Nauman Ali is the second frontline spinner in the 18-man squad, which will be led by Babar Azam.
Uncapped middle-order batsman Salman Ali Agha and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed are also part of the squad but opener Abid Ali was not picked despite recovering from a heart problem.
Spinning all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has also been called back. He was named in the squad for the Australia Test but was withdrawn due to injury.
Squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfraz Ahmed , Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah
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