Ashwin praise ‘great motivation’ for Yasir

Rich praise from India’s star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Pakistan has given an extra dose of motivation to Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who just became the second joint-fastest to 100 Test wickets.

Shah achieved the feat with a five-wicket haul against the West Indies during the ongoing day-night Test here. Shah said Ashwin’s words of encouragement were inspiring.

“Yes, he had said good luck so I am thankful. It’s naturally motivating when a great bowler who is second fastest to 200 wickets a good luck message and it’s really a great motivation for me,” Shah said referring to Ashwin’s tweet.

Ashwin, who became the second fastest to 200 Test wickets in the recently concluded home series against New Zealand, had tweeted to Shah last week.

“Good luck, may the force be with him. He is such a delight to watch,” the in-form Indian spinner had posted.

The Pakistan spinner also hoped that he plays against India in the near future. The arch-rivals have not played a Test series since 2007 due to political tensions between the two countries in the wake of terror attacks in India.