Pakistan are staring down the barrel in the opening Test against Australia in Brisbane, trailing the hosts by 276 runs with seven wickets in hand in the second innings.
‘Daddy’ hundreds by Marnus Labuschagne (185) and David Warner (154) helped Australia post a massive total of 580 as Pakistan bowlers, especially their inexperienced pace attack, were put to the sword.
All eyes were on young debutant Naseem Shah and he tried his best to unsettle the Australian batsmen. Naseem, 16, bowled with extreme pace, topping at 148kph. He got Warner caught behind when the batsman was on just 56 but it was found to be a no-ball.
Pakistan paid a big price for that mistake but Naseem continued to try hard, finishing with figures of 1-68 from 20 overs. His wholehearted effort over two days at the Gabba, however, has drawn praise from all corners.
Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis said managing the workload of the young bowler is a priority as he is the "future" of Pakistan cricket.
“We have to be careful, because he is the future for Pakistan,” Younis said. “We have to use him sensibly and smartly; I think that’s what the captain did."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan stated that the first over bowled by Naseem in Test cricket – where he clocked 147 kph – was an indicator of his potential.
Vaughan tweeted: “First over into his Test Career ... but already you can see Naseem Shah is going to be a superstar... 16 yrs old and clocking 147 kph with a fantastic action.”
Warner also was effusive in his praise, comparing Naseem to a young Mohammad Amir.
“He's quite skiddy, got a nice fluent action, but he won't get a harder Test debut than out there and bowl at the Gabba," Warner had said of Naseem after his century.
"He kept his speed up throughout the whole day. He charged in, and there's a superstar there. Like when Mohammad Amir came on the scene, the first time, he was rapid and had us all in a pickle. If Waqar Younis can get a hold of them and get their lines and lengths and their engines going, they're going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future.”
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had earlier stated that Pakistan had found a "solid" prospect in Naseem.
“I can say that Pakistan has found a solid fast bowler,” Akhtar had said on his YouTube channel. “What I really like about Naseem Shah is that he understands how to bowl. To know how to bowl at this young age is amazing… the same as Mohammad Amir when he came on to the scene in 2009.”
