Published 14:54 IST, October 30th 2019
Naseem Shah: 16-year-old teenager who could debut for Pakistan
Naseem Shah, the Pakistan teenager could become the youngest cricketer to play a Test Down Under during Pakistan's tour of Australia which starts on November 3.
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The 16-year-old teenager Naseem Shah could become the youngest cricketer to play a Test Down Under during Pakistan's tour of Australia which starts on November 3 with a three-match T20I series. Naseem has an experience of playing only five first-class matches since making his debut for Lahore last September. He has to thank Pakistan's head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq for discovering him.
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Naseem Shah who was born on February 15, 2003, is a right-handed medium-fast bowler. The teenager has picked up 17 wickets from the 5 first-class matches that he has played at an impressive average of 18.70 which includes one fifer. His economy rate (2.88) has been brilliant.
If Naseem Shah makes it to the Test he will be in some illustrious company as the only player under the18 who has played a Test in Australia this century is Shah's countryman Mohammad Amir. However, Amir had a poor outing as he went at a dismal average of 40.37 in that series.
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Naseem Shah could be a surprise package: Misbah
Speaking to the Australian media, Pakistan head coach Misbah who is also the side’s chief selector said that his team was keen to throw him in the deep end. He bowled quick and his control with the ball was also great so they were excited to see him bowl in Australia where he could get some pace and bounce. He went on to say that he could be a surprise package if he managed to land the ball in the right areas at that pace.
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Misbah has shown a lot of belief in the youngsters in the Twenty20 and the upcoming Test series as he selected a 19-year-old Musa Khan in both his squads. Another teenage pacer in the form of Shaheen Afridi was also picked for the Tests.
Pakistan have not managed to win a Test series in Australia in more than six decades and the Pakistan team that last toured in 2016-17 was clean swept 3-0 whose captain ironically was Misbah. The former Pakistan captain will look to beat Australia in Australia as the head coach of the team something which he could not do as captain.
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13:41 IST, October 30th 2019