Wahab Riaz reveals Pak's `trump card` against Aussies

Melbourne [Australia], Dec.9 (ANI): Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz believes leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who is currently recovering from a back injury, will be the national side's `trump card` in the three-match Test series against Australia beginning at the Gabba on December 15. Shah sustained the back injury during a team practice session in Cairns ahead of the three-day tour match against Cricket Australia XI and is now battling to be fit for the first Test Down Under. "I haven't got any feedback on (Shah) yet, but obviously he's recovering well. He's going to be our trump card and we want him to play the first Test match," cricket.com.au quoted Riaz as saying. Riaz, however, felt that his side still have the pace-bowling firepower required to challenge Australia even if gun spinner Yasir misses the opening Test. Fast bowler Mohammad Amir made an impressive return to international cricket following his spot fixing ban, taking a total of 13 wickets in his past four Tests, while Sohail Khan, Imran Khan and Rahat Ali are also proven at Test level. "All the fast bowlers in this squad, they have their own speciality. Amir bowls that inswinger really well, Rahat moves it both ways, I come with the pace, Sohail Khan has a tendency to have a good outswinger, with Imran Khan as well, so everybody is really good and working hard and it depends who gets a chance to play," Riaz emphasized. "Obviously everyone wants to perform and it's a good bunch of fast bowlers. We are confident in each other - it's not about who's playing and who's not," he added. While the visitors are confident that Yasir will soon be fit to play the first Test in Brisbane, 17-year-old left-armer Mohammad Asghar has been brought into the squad against Australia as his cover. (ANI)