Teenage bowling sensation Naseem Shah will become one of the youngest cricketers to play a Test after Pakistan captain Azhar Ali confirmed Wednesday the 16-year-old will make his debut at the Gabba.
Shah, who opted to remain on tour after his mother died last week, made the grade for Thursday’s first Test after impressing with an eight-over spell against Australia A in Perth.
“We are definitely looking to play him — he is bowling really well,” Azhar said ahead of the series opener in Brisbane.
Only handful of players have made their debut aged 16, including Sachin Tendulkar who went on to become an Indian batting legend. The youngest Test player is listed by Cricinfo as Pakistan’s Hasan Raza, who was 14 on his 1996 debut, though his date of birth was later disputed
Azhar said he had faith in Shah’s abilities through a high-pressure five-day game.
“He’s very fit, I have captained him in first-class matches and he has overs under his belt,” he said. “I’m sure that he can do that in Test matches as well, I have no doubts in his fitness and his bowling skills.
“Not many players can reach that standard so early but there are exceptions and he’s one of them,” he added. “We are all looking forward to him having a very successful career.”
