Stats: 15-year-old Naseem Shah takes a six-wicket haul in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

Naseem Shah, a 15-year-old fast bowler from Pakistan, has become a social media sensation over the last couple of days. A video clip of his bowling started during rounds in which he was seen swinging the ball at will. Naseem made his debut for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited against Lahore Blues in September and took a wicket in the ten overs he bowled across both the innings. He later represented Pakistan U19 in the Youth Asia Cup in Bangladesh. The pacer claimed 5/13 in the game against Hong Kong and received player of the match award.

In his second game against Pakistan Television, the young pacer ran through the opposition batting. In the first innings, Naseem recorded figures of 4-3-5-1. His first major act in professional cricket came in the second innings where he claimed a six-wicket haul. Naseem claimed 6/59 in the 20.4 overs he bowled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. His brilliant spell of bowling helped his team ZTBL to win this Quaid-e-Azam fixture by nine wickets.

Naseem Shah was only 15 years and 238 days old when he took the field in the game against Pakistan TV making him the 3rd youngest fast bowler in the history of first-class cricket. Bangladesh’s Mohammad Sharif was 14 years and 362 days when he represented Biman Bangladesh Airlines against Chittagong Division in the 2000/01 season. He finished with figures of 6/44 in the 17.4 overs he bowled.

Former Pakistan International Majid Khan was 15 years and 46 days old when he took his maiden FC five-fer of 6/67 while playing for Lahore B against Khairpur in the 1961/62 season. Majid was a successful opener for Pakistan national team. He began his career as a pacer before suffering an injury that converted him into an off-spinner. As many as 11 players were younger than Naseem by the time they took their maiden five-wicket haul in FC. Interestingly, seven of those 11 players were left-arm orthodox spinners.

Youngest pacer to take a five-wicket haul in first-class cricket:

(Stats as on October 15, 2018)