16-year-old pace sensation Shah to make debut vs Oz

Brisbane, November 20

Teenage bowling sensation Naseem Shah will become one of the youngest cricketers to play a Test after Pakistan captain Azhar Ali confirmed today 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 the first Test, which begins tomorrow, 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 a batting legend. The youngest Test player is listed by the website 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.” — AFP