New Delhi: Yasir Shah's impact for Pakistan has grown to a large extent and his suspension by the ICC for failing a drugs test comes as a major blow.
Yasir, currently ranked No. 3 in the ICC Test bowling rankings could face a ban for at least two years from the game.
The leg-spinner provided a sample to testers on 13 November, after the second one-day international against England in Abu Dhabi. It was found to contain chlortalidone, which appears in Section 5 of the World Anti-Doping Agency list (in the category of Specified Substances).
This comes as another set back for Pakistan just when they had found an answer for out of favour Saeed Ajmal who had a big impact on the game. Ajmal's bowling action was reported and subsequently he lost his wicket-taking ability with a remodeled action.
With the upcoming series against New Zealand followed by Asia Cup T20 and ICC T20 World Cup in March 2016, Pakistan could miss the services of Yasir if proved guilty by the ICC.
Yasir finds himself in a spot of bother as he is provisionally suspended and Pakistan Cricket Board will hope he comes out clean.
Doping has been a major factor in cricket as just days earlier, Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Perera, had to pay the price after testing positive for a banned substance.
Perera faces the prospect of getting a ban of four years which comes as a big disappointment for the 25-year-old.
Perera's urine sample was tested in Qatar after the ICC had originally found it contained banned substance.
Doping in sports highlights negligence and players will have to face the brunt for going the wrong way.
Earlier this month, Yasir was named in the ICC's Test team of the year.
Since making his international debut in 2011, Yasir has played in 12 Tests and 15 one-day internationals.
Yasir has taken 76 Test wickets and 18 in one-day internationals.
