'He has got a Dennis Lillee kind of action' - Waqar Younis' high praise for Naseem Shah

The touring England team dished out a clinical performance to annihilate hosts Pakistan in the first match of the T20I series in Karachi on Tuesday, 20th September. The Pakistani bowlers, who had an impressive Asia Cup tournament, weren't able to defend a par total on the day. But during the buildup to the series opener, Pakistan fast bowling icons Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram lauded the rise of Naseem Shah in the Pakistani team.

Waqar Younis hailed the young speedster as one of the best in the country, dissecting his bowling action and stride. He also revealed the reasoning behind the youngster's selection to the national team. Waqar went on to draw comparisons with Australian bowling legend Dennis Lillee, sighting the similarity in their bowling actions.

“I feel Naseem when I first saw him, he was a finished product. A classic action gets into the crease very nicely. His opportunity came because Amir and Wahab pulled out just before the Australia tour, so we didn't have a choice too. I thought, 'just take some youngsters along. He's got a perfect run-up, and gets side-on really nicely. He has got pace. He has got a Dennis Lillee kind of action,” Waqar said in a video posted by Pakistan Cricket.

His opening bowling partner for numerous years and another bowling legend Wasim Akram also commended the youngster for developing new skills. The former pacer gave an insight into the action and follow through of Naseem Shah, which helped him generate the outswing. But the young bowling sensation added another weapon in his armory in the recently concluded Asia Cup, where he troubled batters with his prodigious in-swinging deliveries.

“What I love about him is his follow-through. The way he bends down puts all the pressure on his front leg. A very clean action, that's very important. His front-arm is high, he gets the out-swing because of that. In the recent Asia Cup, he now bowls big in-swingers with the new ball. The Dubai pitch helps him bowling as well. It gave him confidence as a bowler, and of course, now as an all-rounder!” the former Pakistan pacer said as he passed a chuckle.