LAHORE: Fast emerging left-arm slow bowler Zafar Gohar has been selected as a temporary replacement for leg-spinner Yasir Shah for the first Test.

“Zafar Gohar, the left-arm slow bowler who recently featured in Pakistan ‘A’ team’s two matches against England, has been selected as a temporary replacement for Yasir, who suffered from a back injury during Pakistan’s practice session at Sheikh Zayed Stadium Monday morning,” a PCB spokesman said.

“Yasir has not yet been ruled out of the first Test and a final decision on fielding him or not shall be taken before the match on Tuesday,” it further said.

Meanwhile, chief selector Haroon Rashid said: “Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam informed us that Yasir got injured during practice and a replacement is required on urgent basis.

“After having discussed the matter with my fellow selectors it has been decided that Zafar Gohar is the logical choice to be sent over to fill the gap for a temporary period.”

Zafar was one of the four players who recently refused to play for their original region which is Lahore in the last T20 Cup and preferred representing other different regions.

Zafar played for Islamabad. So far he had played just eight first-class matches taking 37 wickets, since making debut two years back.

Published in Dawn, October 13th , 2015

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