Pakistan 16-year-old to make Test debut

Australia Captain Tim Paine (left) and Pakistan Skipper Azhar Ali 

Pakistan will take a huge gamble in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane today by giving 16-year-old schoolboy quick Naseem Shah his debut.
Many a more-experienced fast bowler has wilted on Australia’s hard tracks but Pakistan Skipper Azhar Ali is backing the teenager, who has only seven First-Class matches under his belt, to deal with the situation.

“He’s bowling really well,” Azhar told reporters in Brisbane yesterday.
“We’ll announce the side tomorrow but he’s definitely going to be part of it.”

“Not many players can reach that standard so early but there are exceptions and he’s one of them. We are all looking forward to him having a very 
successful career.”

Naseem, who will become the youngest player to make his Test debut in Australia, is likely to face the best batsman in the world in Steve Smith over the course of the match but Ali said he would feel no need to protect the youngster.

“The good thing about him is he’s very fit,” he added. I’ve captained him in First-Class matches so he has overs in his belt. I have no doubt in his fitness or his bowling.” 
Ian Craig holds the record as the youngest Test debutant in Australia after taking the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as a 17-year-old against South Africa in 1953.
REUTERS