Leg-spinner Yasir Shah ruled out for Pakistan's UK tours

The 31-year-old has been key to Pakistan's Test wins since 2014, having taken 165 wickets in 28 Test matches.

Yasir Shah has taken 89 wickets in 16 of the 17 Tests Pakistan has played under head coach Mickey Arthur, since May 2016.

Pakistan suffered a stinging setback Monday ahead of its Test tours of Ireland and England, after key leg-spinner Yasir Shah was ruled out with a hip-bone injury.

The 31-year-old has been key to Pakistan's Test wins since 2014, having taken 165 wickets in 28 Test matches. Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq confirmed that the spinner will not be available for the tours.

“Yasir is ruled out of the Ireland and England Test tours and it's a big blow. It's a big loss for the team,” Inzamam told local media. Medical reports said that Yasir suffered a hip-bone stress fracture and needs four weeks rest, in addition to another six for rehabilitation.

Inzamam said that Pakistan called on teenage leg-spinner Shadab Khan, off-spinner Bilal Asif and left-arm slow bowler Kashif Bhatti to fill in the gap.

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Shadab has taken just one wicket in a single Test appearance in Barbados in 2017, while the others have yet to play a Test. Yasir has taken 89 wickets in 16 of the 17 Tests Pakistan has played under head coach Mickey Arthur, since May 2016.

He took a match-winning 10 wickets in Pakistan's victory at Lord's in 2016, on its way to a 2-2 series draw in England. The leg-spinner also raced to 100 wickets in 17 Tests, while also taking 150 wickets in 27 Tests — the second fastest player in Pakistan to achieve both milestones.

Pakistan will be Ireland's inaugural Test opponent in Dublin, from May 11-15, before playing two Tests against England. The first Test is at Lord's from May 24-28, while the second is at Leeds from June 1-5.