Pakistan seeing match-winner in 16-year-old pace sensation Naseem Shah

Pakistan were beaten 0-2 in the T20I series by Australia recently but the visitors have found themselves boosted by their bowlers in the three-day game against Australia ‘A’ in Perth. Having bowled out the opponents for 122 after having them reeling at 57 for 9 at one stage, Azhar Ali’s boys will look forward to replicating the same in the two-Test series starting Thursday in Brisbane.

While the veteran pacer in Imran Khan was the wrecker-in-chief in Perth, Pakistan will be keenly looking up to the 16-year-old pace sensation Naseem Shah who though did not take much of a part in that game since his mother passed away. He got the wicket of Australia international Marcus Harris in that game while he went wicketless in the two-day game against Cricket Australia XI that happened next.

It is not easy for the teenager to cope with his first international tour with the personal loss he has had recently but his team still thinks that he can be a match-winner in the upcoming series. The fiery eight-over spell that he bowled in Perth in which he conceded just 21 runs has kept Azar Ali’s side curious.

When picked for the playing XI for the first Test, Naseem will join a rare club of players who have made their international debut at the age of 16, former India captain Sachin Tendulkar included. The youngest player to take part in a Test was Naseem’s compatriot Hasan Raza who was only 14 in 1996 though his age was disputed later.

Misbah hails Naseem Shah’s control on the ball

Pakistan head coach-cum-chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq is optimistic about Naseem’s potential. “The best thing about Naseem Shah is the control he has on his bowling,” Pakistan’s The National quoted him as saying.

“He has a very good bowling action and knows which deliveries to bowl. He can bowl with very good control. He knows his stuff and bowled really well in the first-class matches he played this season. He’s bowled well here too and is the standout bowler for us. The way he’s been bowling, he can be a match-winner for us.”

Naseem did not return home for his mother’s funeral as his family asked him to stay back saying his mother would have also wanted the same.

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