For much of the early 2010s, Yasir Shah was waiting for his opportunity to make a mark at the highest level. A leg-spinner from Swabi, Yasir had spent years playing domestic cricket before his international breakthrough finally arrived. When Saeed Ajmal was suspended over his bowling action, Pakistan turned to Yasir, and he quickly showed that he could fill the void.

Born in Swabi in 1986, Yasir made his first-class debut in 2002 and eventually made his international debut in 2011. His Test opportunity came a few years later, when he was brought into Pakistan's side for the series against Australia in the UAE. He made an immediate impact, taking 7 wickets on debut and finishing the series with 12. From there, he began reaching major milestones at remarkable speed, bringing up 100 Test wickets in just 17 matches before going on to reach 150 and 200 wickets in the following years.

Yasir's rise was briefly interrupted by a three-month suspension after he tested positive for a banned diuretic. He returned to international cricket and continued to play a central role in Pakistan's Test attack, producing several more standout performances. Among them was an extraordinary spell against New Zealand in 2018, when he took 8 for 41 and finished with 14 wickets in the match. Yasir was not only capable of contributing with the ball. He also produced an unexpected highlight with the bat, scoring his maiden Test century against Australia in Adelaide. His 113 came in a difficult situation and showed that he could make a substantial contribution with the bat when required.

The latter part of his Test career was more difficult. Injuries, including a hip stress fracture, interrupted his progress, while the emergence of other spin options gradually reduced his opportunities. His white-ball career never matched his impact in Tests, with his international appearances in the shorter formats relatively limited. In November 2025, after opting out of the domestic season, Shah indicated that he was considering his future in the game following discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board.