As Yasir Shah went through the defenses of David Warner on the third day of the first Test between Pakistan and Australia, there was a brief moment when the fans were reminded of the great skill that leg spin bowling is.

Almost a lost art in the today's 'mystery spin' era, Shah ensured that even the legendary Shane Warne took notice. Not surprisingly Warne is the Pakistan' leggie's 'idol'

The 28-year-old leggie, who hails from Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, took up leg spin after watching videos of the Aussie great who gave him the ultimate compliment at the end of the day's play.

"Shane Warne was my motivation, I started bowling leg breaks after watching him bowl on TV," Shah said through a translator.

"And then my brother sent me a video of Warne from London and I used to watch it every day and tried to copy his action and the way he used to bowl. Warne was a legend so he was my idol."

Shah grew up in Swabi but had to play his cricket in Peshawar, 100 km away.

"There were no grounds in Swabi so I had to go to Peshawar academy to play, then we had a few grounds in Swabi and then I played there," Shah, who picked up 3-66 in Australia's first innings, said.

Warne, who was following the third day's play on television, was impressed by what he saw.

"I like the look of this leggie Yasir Shah, plenty of energy & nice variations of pace," he tweeted.

"I really appreciate the comment by such a legendary player," Shah said with a big smile as he was relayed the message.