Naseem Shah: A Young Pakistani Pace Sensation
Naseem Shah, born on February 15, 2003, is a young Pakistani fast bowler who made his international debut at the age of 16. He has been dubbed as the “next big thing” in Pakistani cricket due to his impressive pace and ability to swing the ball. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Naseem Shah.
Early Life and Career
Naseem Shah was born in Lower Dir, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. He started playing cricket at a young age and was initially a medium-pacer. However, he soon realized that his passion was for fast bowling, and he started to focus on developing his skills as a fast bowler.
Naseem’s first major break came when he was selected to play for the Pakistan Under-16 team in 2018. He made an immediate impact, taking 8 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 18.25. His impressive performances earned him a place in the Pakistan Under-19 squad for the 2019 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Under-19 World Cup
Naseem Shah’s performances in the Under-19 World Cup were nothing short of sensational. He took 9 wickets in just 4 matches at an average of 16.66. He also bowled the fastest ball of the tournament, clocking in at 146.8 km/h. Naseem’s raw pace and ability to generate swing at high speeds caught the attention of cricket fans around the world.
International Career
Naseem Shah’s performances in the Under-19 World Cup earned him a call-up to the Pakistan national team for the Test series against Australia in 2019. He made his debut in the first Test of the series and became the youngest player to make his debut in a Test match in Australia.
Naseem’s debut was a memorable one as he took a hat-trick in the second innings of the match. He became the youngest bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket, breaking the record set by Bangladesh’s Alok Kapali in 2003. Naseem finished the match with figures of 5/142 and became the second-youngest player to take a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Playing Style
Naseem Shah is a fast bowler who can generate speeds of up to 150 km/h. He is known for his raw pace and his ability to swing the ball at high speeds. Naseem’s ability to generate swing at high speeds makes him a difficult bowler to face, and he is capable of taking wickets at crucial stages of the game.
Apart from his bowling, Naseem is also a handy lower-order batsman who can score quick runs when required. He has a good technique and is capable of playing both defensive and attacking strokes.
Future Prospects
Naseem Shah is still a very young cricketer with a lot of potential. He has already made an impact in international cricket with his impressive pace and skill with the ball. If he can continue to develop his skills, he could become one of the best fast bowlers in the world.
Naseem’s performances in the Test series against Australia showed that he has the ability to perform at the highest level. He has the potential to be a key member of the Pakistan team for years to come.
Conclusion
Naseem Shah is a young pace sensation from Pakistan who has taken the cricket world by storm with his impressive performances. He has shown that he has the ability to bowl at high speeds and swing the ball with precision.