Fitness concerns loom over Yasir Shah ahead of Sri Lanka series

LAHORE: Leg-spinner Yasir Shah continued to struggle to impress team management and coaches at the training camp underway at the Gaddafi Stadium, ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka later this month.

According to sources close to the matter, the trainer and coach remain unhappy with the spinner’s fitness and are considering recalling an alternative player to the squad.

The training camp, which kicked off on Tuesday and will continue until September 23, is intended to prepare the players for the Test series against Sri Lanka.

Test opener Azhar Ali, who faces a knee injury, was also in attendance and performed light exercises alongside his teammates.

The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka begins in Abu Dhabi on September 28.

The Pakistan Cricket Board last week finalised the 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series, which includes young pacer Mir Hamza from Karachi and marks the return of opener Shan Masood.

Squad: Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Usman Salahuddin, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Mohammad Abbas, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza and Wahab Riaz.