ISLAMABAD – Pakistan have been dealt a blow by the news that leadingleg-spinner Yasir Shah has been ruled out of action for the forthcomingTests against Ireland and England.

The 31-year-old is facing 10 weeks of rehabilitation from a stress fractureto the hip that means he will miss Ireland s debut Test in Dublin (11 May)and the following two Tests against England at Lord s (24 May) andHeadingley (1 June).

Pakistan are considering leg-spinner Shadab Khan, off-spinner Bilal Asifand left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti as possible replacements, chief selectorInzamam-ul-Haq said.

Yasir will be a significant loss, having been central to Pakistan s Testsuccesses since 2014, taking 165 wickets in 28 Test matches.