Warne wants to have a bowl alongside leggie

E-Paper | April 25, 2026

DUBAI: Legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne on Tuesday said he would like to train with fast-rising Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah in the nets, a wish Pakistan management welcomed.

Warne, on a promotional tour to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said he believes Yasir is a world-class bowler.

“If I could find some time this week, I would love to go down and have a bowl with Yasir, because I am trying to prepare for the Cricket All Stars next week as well,” Warne told UAE daily The National.

Himself a great of the game who took 708 Test wickets — second only to Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan — Warne is a great admirer of Yasir.

Yasir, who took eight wickets to help Pakistan win the Dubai Test against England in Dubai on Tuesday, started bowling leg-breaks after watching Warne on television.

Warne met Yasir in Adelaide during the World Cup earlier this year and passed on some useful tips to the Pakistani spinner.

Warne and Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar are organising three Twenty20 matches for veteran cricketers in the US next month.

The Australian spinner said he is keen to have nets before the matches in the US.

“I am trying to get as much practice in as I can. I might not be that welcome down in the England camp, so I might have to try the Pakistan camp to have a bowl,” Warne said.

“I think he [Yasir] is a wonderful bowler. From what I have seen of this [Dubai] Test match, he has got all the toys, I just think he gets a little impatient.”

Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam welcomed Warne’s reported request.

“No one has approached us as yet,” Intikhab said. “But if someone does then Warne is welcome because its a common practice that greats pass tips to youngsters and it will be a kind gesture.”

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2015

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SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT

Oct 28, 2015 12:41pm

Sorry im being negative here, but simply refuse the wish of Mr. Shane Warne. We dont want to expose our key bowler. These other playing cricket nations, make the video then exploit our edgy skills on them.

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Syed

Oct 28, 2015 12:53pm

@ Adnan - Seriously dude, you need to grow up. Warne is a legend and he is wishing to train with Yasir... this is awesome. I myself play cricket (not professionally) and I know the loads of knowledge gain in nets when you train with a better team/ individual.

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saj

Oct 28, 2015 01:01pm

@SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT They all watch videos anyways. Teams have plans on how to get a batsman out ((they watch videos and work out weaknesses- short balls- foot movement-playing away from body etc). Batsmen watch videos of how a bowler releases the ball. Its nothing new.

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shabbzz

Oct 28, 2015 01:09pm

Great gesture from a 'legend' !!! M sure Yasir can learn alot frm the 'maestro' himself !!!! Thank you Mr. Shane Warne !!!!!

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SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT

Oct 28, 2015 01:09pm

@Syed Yes dear, that is why i said sorry first, because i knew it that think tank individuals will come back to my opinion, but i have bitter experiences for Australian team approaches, so this was the reason, anyways thanks for the positive advice !

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saleem

Oct 28, 2015 01:13pm

shane warn was one of greats that we had seen, traing with yasir will only help yasir ,with his experiance .remember old is gold.

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Ahmed

Oct 28, 2015 01:55pm

@SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT That says all. Youtube is still banned in Pakistan :)

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Pakistani

Oct 28, 2015 01:56pm

Thank you Shane Warne for your request. You are most welcome Sir ! Great honour for Yasir and Pakistanis to receive such a positive comment from a legendary cricketer.

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yasir_sh

Oct 28, 2015 02:08pm

That's good news I will be very happy

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Zahid Khan

Oct 28, 2015 02:15pm

@shabbzz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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syed wasim haider

Oct 28, 2015 02:19pm

Shane Warne knows how to get best from his bowlers.We saw him how cleverly he used Sohail Tanvir in IPL. YS must take advantage of his advices.

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KaKa

Oct 28, 2015 02:39pm

Love you Warni and thanks for this gesture. We all Pakistani cricket fans respect this attitude of yours

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Anum

Oct 28, 2015 02:48pm

And Damn Waqar Younis did not play him in World Cup - After such blunder how can he still be coach of national team ? where foreigners are pointing out talent in team but coach himself could not see ?

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nabidad

Oct 28, 2015 03:05pm

Lovely report

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fraz

Oct 28, 2015 03:14pm

It is a great encouraging sign for Yasir Shah who is applauded by someone whom even the best in the business feared facing in his time. However, considering these inspirational remarks, Yasir should not get reluctant but must continue working harder as he possesses the capability to become a legend.

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Oct 28, 2015 03:21pm

Welcome step from Shane Warne Who knows Yasir might get great help with his experience.

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Cric Pakistan

Oct 28, 2015 03:25pm

@Anum : Please, take a break, keep your assumptions aside and learn to appreciate the Coach and your own legend Waqar Younis who is striving hard to make the team strong day by day with a combination of better talent. Great going Coach, no matter what some people say negative about you, Pakistan Team is on a rise under your coaching, gradual and steady approach is the key to long term success. Keep it up.

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Bechara

Oct 28, 2015 03:26pm

what a great gesture from one of the greatest in cricket history.

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Adeel

Oct 28, 2015 03:36pm

@SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT Sorry do you even know what you talking about make the video then exploit our edgy skills ? like international matched been played in underground lol . you are talking about refusing Shane Warne are you even in your senses where Yasril shaw and our PCB would have been dying to get Shane Warne help Yasir Shah.

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fida

Oct 28, 2015 03:37pm

Warne is a class action bowler, far better than the throw bowler Murali, who should have never been allowed to bowl. It is a wise decision by PCB to allow Warne to practice at nets.

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Irfan UK

Oct 28, 2015 03:41pm

It shows that when you you do good in your game then the whole world appreciates your talent. I love Warne and I think it would be extremely nice of him to train Yasir. And don't worry all great players like to pass on their knowledge to the right players. Waseem bahi used to give tips to Australian fast bowlers and trains the Indian bowlers because remember it's a sport not war at least until you are on the pitch and then it is war.

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saad

Oct 28, 2015 03:42pm

@SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT really?????? That's Shane Warne. It would be a favour by him to Yasir and Pakistan as he was one and only and the best spinner ever. I think he should be approached by pcb for Yasir's learning.

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Pakistani

Oct 28, 2015 04:04pm

@syed wasim haider . You watch IPL? Wow. People still do that in Pakistan.

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glowing pakistan

Oct 28, 2015 04:04pm

definitely Yasir shah is going to be world leader in bowling and every one wants to train him and get training from him.

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Cric Pakistan

Oct 28, 2015 04:05pm

Warne Used to take tips from Abdul Qadir added on with his own genius he did wonders with his miraculous bowling in international cricket. Though Mushtaq Ahmed is doing great with Yasir but some extra tips from the legendary Warne would further enhance his skills. So better grab this opportunity. I am happy that team management has Welcomed Warne for his goodwill gesture.

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umar

Oct 28, 2015 04:30pm

@SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT what video would u think thy will make..bowling of yasir shah??? u think they dont already have a thousand videos of yasir shah bowling..what secret can warne get out of him...its not the 1950s where u dont know anything about a bowler...now everyone knows every secret..these players play foreign leagues play under foreign coaches..everyone knows every thing about a player..nothing is a secret now....but if warne coaches yasir shah he will hugely benefit from it...it will make him a much more better bowler...coz warne knows everything about leg spin bowling...dont bring out negatives in everything...

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A. Ali

Oct 28, 2015 04:37pm

he want to bowl alongside Yasir in nets for practice.

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Taimoor Khan

Oct 28, 2015 04:39pm

Hated this man with passion during his playing days. Now, you are most welcome in Pakistani camp.

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Cornered tigers

Oct 28, 2015 04:45pm

@SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT What an intelligent observation!

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US CENTCOM

Oct 28, 2015 05:13pm

Yasir has only played 11 test matches so far! He has a long way to go, but to have a legend like Shane Warne back him, says a lot about his talent. I am sure he will only get better with time. I have to admit I was concerned whether anybody would be able to fill in the vacancy left by Saeed Ajmal. But it seems Pakistan has found another match winner in Yasir Shah. Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

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Zafar Ahmed

Oct 28, 2015 05:22pm

@Anum WY kept both Yasir Shah & Sarfaraz Ahmed kept away from the World Cup for reason best known only to him !

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Oct 28, 2015 07:21pm

Thanks Shane. Please teach him some tricks like quick flapper, straight ball etc.

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LOUDSPEAKER

Oct 28, 2015 07:23pm

@saj You are absolutely right. In the past that's how they have counteted our magic leggie Abdul Qader.

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Oct 28, 2015 07:31pm

@SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT Were you personally approached by them and had a bad experience?? Not sure why you have to say sorry before for something you believe in? or maybe you are not sure about it.

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Nasirr

Oct 28, 2015 08:19pm

Legends like Warne, Waseem doesn't belong to one country.

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Lumboobhai

Oct 28, 2015 08:43pm

Again committing narrow mindedness.it should be an honor for us to receive a request to practice in our nets by Shane Warne.Yasir shall get a chance of his life time to benefit from him.

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SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT

Oct 28, 2015 09:36pm

Thanks to all of the bloggers for sharing your valuable comments on my thoughts, im honored for positive feed back on my opinion. Excellent healthy communications !!! But im a nationalist and i still believe that our spin bowlers either this generation or previous generations, are the best ! We breed spinners, other nations are copying to survive internationally....

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Shahid Khan

Oct 29, 2015 02:27am

A very kind gesture from a true legendry crickter.

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raza kareemi

Oct 29, 2015 04:53am

"He gets a little impatient". True. Yasir got his length wrong against Rashid due to this.

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Azhar

Oct 29, 2015 08:37am

@SYED ADNAN SHAFQAT Yasir is like a kid in Leg Spin when u compare it with Warne.....He should learn more and more from Warne .

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Karachi Wally

Oct 29, 2015 11:07am

Time to pay back, many years back Qadir used to train Warne he had not entered the international arena. Now it is time to continue the chain.

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Ali

Oct 29, 2015 11:37am

When our greats pass tips to young players from other countries, we feel they become better players. So why does the same not apply to our youngsters when greats from abroad pass some tips? Why do some of us look at everything with suspicion? It is a great honor for Yasir and i am glad Pakistani team management appreciates the fact and is taking this in a very positive stride. Let us hope Warnie and Yasir have a very good session!!!

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shahed khan bd

Oct 29, 2015 01:48pm

I think yasir should take this great opportunity.

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