Pakistan are bringing an incredibly young pace attack to Australia for the upcoming Tests, with a 16-year-old and two 19-year-old quicks named in their squad.
The tourists are without experienced quicks Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali, leaving them with a threadbare pace unit bulging with rookies.
The most extraordinary selection was 16-year-old tearaway quick Naseem Shah. If the right armer makes his debut in this series, he will become the youngest cricketer ever to play a Test match on Australian soil.
That record is currently held by former Australian batsman Ian Craig, who was nearly 12 months older than Naseem when he first featured, in 1953.
The tourists have a history of blooding precocious teenage talents. Of the eight youngest players to debut in Tests, five are from Pakistan, including batsman Hasan Raza who in 1996 played at the age of just 14.
Buzz has been building about Naseem since this video emerged last year of the then-15-year-old bowling with startling pace and swing on first-class debut.
Operating with a dynamic action reminiscent of the legendary Waqar Younis, Naseem swiftly made an impression on his country’s domestic scene. In five first-class matches he has grabbed 17 wickets at 18. His other appearances in professional cricket are limited to three T20 matches and a single T20 fixture.
Even without considering his age, Naseem is raw. But watching that footage of him as a 15-year-old it is hard not to sense that he is a rare talent.
Whether he is ready to take the enormous step of playing in international cricket, only time will tell.
There are fewer doubts over the preparedness of 19-year-old Shaheen Shah Afridi, who may just be the most talented teenage cricketer on the planet. Afridi is an extraordinary package – a 198cm-tall left-armer who can swing the ball late at up to 150kmh.
While that doesn’t guarantee him success, he is certainly the type of bowler who has the tools to exploit the conditions Down Under.
The teenager has had a phenomenal start to his limited overs career, taking 54 wickets at 21 since making his international debut as a 17-year-old.
Afridi has also made a good start to his Test career, with 12 wickets at 31 so far in three matches against solid opponents South Africa and New Zealand. He has made an impact against Australia with the white ball, taking ten wickets at 20 from five matches against them.
The third teenage quick is 19-year-old right armer Musa Khan, who is barely more experienced than Naseem.
Musa made his professional debut less than a year ago and has just 17 wickets at 37 in first-class cricket. He is yet to play for Pakistan in any format but boasts serious pace, having been clocked at 147kmh in the Pakistan Super League.
Pakistan’s attack will rely on star seamer Mohammad Abbas, who took 17 wickets at ten in the Test series against Australia in the UAE last year.
Abbas did not tour Australia three years ago when his compatriots were thumped 3-0, a series in which only two bowlers averaged less than 57 – quicks Riaz and Sohail Khan, neither of whom are in this current squad.
Pakistan have picked veteran seamer Imran Khan, who played one Test in that last series, taking 2-154. His poor fitness was exposed during that Test and was subsequently questioned by recently-axed coach Mickey Arthur.
Seemingly due to Arthur’s poor regard for Khan’s work ethic, the quick has not played a Test for nearly three years. Now he returns to the fold under new head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq.
To trouble Australia with the ball, Pakistan will need a massively improved performance from renowned leg spinner Yasir Shah.
Shah had the worst series of his career last time in Australia, taking eight wickets at 84 and going at a whopping 4.53 runs per over.
While Pakistan’s bowling looks weak, their batting unit bulges with talent, despite the shock axing of former skipper and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.
Azhar Ali (406 runs at 81) and Asad Shafiq (239 runs at 40) were impressive on their last tour of Australia, while Haris Sohail and Babar Azam complete a good middle order.
Azhar Ali, celebrating a century. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Their weakness with the blade is against the new ball, with openers Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood averaging just 28 and 26 respectively in their Test careers.
New wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan is a relative unknown, having played just one Test. He does, however, possess a commanding first-class record, with a batting average of 44 across his 79 matches.
Pakistan Test squad: Azhar Ali (c), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah.
Pakistan’s best XI
1. Shan Masood
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Azhar Ali
4. Asad Shafiq
5. Haris Sohail
6. Babar Azam
7. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
8. Yasir Shah
9. Mohammad Abbas
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Imran Khan
Paul
Roar Guru
I hope you're wrong about the whitewash Dat, but many thanks for such a comprehensive reply. I still look forward to seeing how the Pakistani younger brigade perform.
dat
Roar Rookie
If this was 4-5 years ago, i would have been excited to see how they all go in Australia but their domestic structure has been messed up for a while now. Before the recent rejig, most of the pitches they played on were under prepared , which would have surely received poor rating by the ICC had it hosted any international games.Their bowlers thrived on such conditions with most of them averaging 20 or much lower per season.But after the recent changes it seems to be going in the opposite direction as even Kamran akmal is averaging nearly 90 this year, while their leading wicket taker in the tournament in Yasir shah is avg 46 . It's difficult to predict how their new talents would perform given the poor structure under which they played in over the years and the reduced number of A tour they had ,compared to the big 3 nations. As for the batting lineup i much rather fancy Australia's batting unit than pakistan's. I figure like with india even some of the technically weakest batsmen can score runs against most attacks at home. Right now outside india and maybe new zealand, australia could possibly beat any other team at home even if Smith wasn't part of the 11. Pakistan on the other hand are coming in after a whitewash in South Africa where the bowler most effective against them (Olivier) took 70% of his wickets just by pitching it short and aimed at the body.Despite how poorly Starc may have been doing recently ,this is an encouraging sign for him and any other bowler who can clock over 90 m/hr. Azhar and Shafiq their batting mainstays are out of form while Harris sohail hasn't played much away from home ,so a lot would depend on how Babar performs. He looked most impressive in South africa,but more so in an attacking role, you expect from someone batting at 6 than someone who inspires confidence with his ability to bat long hours at the top of the order. So I would predict it to be a whitewash with at least 1 innings defeat on the cards.
dat
Roar Rookie
They are probably better off without Amir in the format,unless the pitch offers some decent assistance for the quicks. His avg in Australia and Asia are dreadful with even poorer strike rates(87 in aust and 100 in asia). Even in white ball cricket his bowling in such conditions as recent as the asia cup didn't inspire much confidence. There are certain conditions he would look world class in and others where he doesn't create enough impact in . Yasir is even worse as unlike the other top spinners say lyon or ashwin ,he can't contain the flow of runs on SENA tours which led them to drop him in the last test against south Africa. Though he might still start in the 11 on this tour ,specifically because of his good record against smith, he might sit out in the 2nd game if they end up doing poorly. Wahab despite his inconsistency issue was probably their best bowler in challenging conditions for the quicks so even though i get why he isn't picked, i feel he might been a handy 1st change quick with his reverse swing coming into play later on.
Hari
Roar Rookie
All the best to both teams. Make it a tight fight, it's boring if the series is decided in 2 days. Best of luck to the new blood, if they can be consistent they will reap the rewards.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Interesting. Mohammad Abbas was fantastic against us in the UAE on not very helpful wicketss. Also did well in a handful of Tests in England and the Windies. But not much success in two Tests in South Africa on somewhat helpful wickets. Wonder what happened to Sarfraz - seemed the sort of experienced guy they need on a tour here, with a good batting record if not a great keeper, not too old. Personality thing?
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Agreed on both counts. I’m also curious to see, if Pucovski does get the nod but doesn’t fire immediately, how long he’s persisted with, given the complete lack of consistency in that regard over the past few years.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I get the feeling Wade will likely get selected, but is very much a "here and now" selection who will be out reasonably quickly with a short run of low scores and if someone is going to make way for Pucovski it would more likely be Head. But if Head can make some scores over the next two Shield games I would think he's probably in. I've said in other comments that there's no rush with Pucovski. He's only 21. If he had another 2 years of first class cricket first he'd still only be 23. No need to rush him in. I don't necessarily agree with the thought of always wanting to debut players in "easier" series either. Plenty of players have debuted in tough situations and done well. Off the top of my head, players like Slater, debuting in England, and Michael Clarke in India are two examples. Didn't harm them. So the "ease" into test cricket via "softer" series idea isn't one I really subscribe to, but it's one reason why there's probably an extra push at the moment.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Which I could sort of understand, if our team was more settled than it is at the moment. Though even if Pak and NZ are less pressure and Pucovski comes in and does really well, that's still no guarantee that he'll succeed later on. I really just don't see the rush with Pucovski. I'm not convinced throwing in a youngster (who's only averaging 36 since the call up vs SL) is the way to go when we have other candidates yet to have been given a proper crack. I have the same feelings regarding Head, but I still find it strange that he was the one chosen to make way for Marsh. That and the fact Wade's coming off two tons gives me the impression that Head out for for Pucovski is probably the way they're going to go. Would be happy to be proven wrong.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
There is excitement about Pucovski because he's a 21 year old who looks good. And there's a lot of thought that if you are going to pick a youngster, this is the time to do it. No matter how good Pakistan or NZ could be, there will definitely be less pressure than in any of the next two seasons against India and England. I do still feel the selectors picked Head hoping he could succeed as a test batsman and become the next test captain. I think they want to give him every chance as he's a big chance to therefore be in the side.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Being born there is a major achievement. Getting a certificate is not a big concern, given that country's political instability, as basic life ammenities are not as easily accessed as they are hear.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
NZ belief: Especially if they exact some WC revenge in their Tests v England beforehand.
AREH
Roar Guru
Still a very intriguing test summer coming I think. Both NZ and Pakistan with a lack of series success in Australia, like India arriving last season. Personnel circumstances quite different this time, but NZ in particular may bring with them some belief. Wish it was three tests each.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Very disappointing Amir and Riaz have pulled the plug. Hope it's a good series.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Babar looks like he has all the tools to be a huge success in Test cricket. Maybe this will be his breakout series. The rawness of that bowling attack looks like it could bowl Warner back into form.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Given where he is from, the odds would be that is almost a certainty he wasn't registered at birth. Registrations and therefore issuing of birth certificates has soared though for those born in the last few years given access to mobile digital accessibility
Josh H
Roar Rookie
Jeez, I'm worried for Pakistan about a few of these players. Imran Khan? Bowls absolute pies. Wasn't he the one Warner scored 100 in a session against? Hopefully Abbas bowls well, he's a very clever bowler, but I can't help but think the flat conditions over here will work against him. Yasir Shah is past it unfortunately, good bowler but had poor plans under Misbah's captaincy last tour, and I think the same again given MUH has taken the reins as coach. Unless these 3 pull their fingers out, we might actually be looking at Pakistan's best bowling attack being entirely their teens. That's scary
JamesH
Roar Guru
Fair point. I really hope they don't rush Pucovski in while the side is so unsettled.
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
While it is hardly a breaking news that our neighbour is blessed with unlimited fast bowling talents, I can not solve the mystery of why all good looking fast bowlers are from across the border too :crying:
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Again, I agree on both counts but I don't count on the selectors looking at things that way. That feature piece they did on Pucovski last week tells me that someone in the CA setup has their eyes on him. Doubt Marsh will feature again but Head probably needs a big score for the selectors to remember that he was 'rotated out,' not 'dropped.' I get the inkling that another big score for Pucovski will seal the deal. A reasonable view of Burns vs Harris would dictate that starts on a bowling friendly pitch and a superior Test record should beat out a string of Test flops and one big score on a flat deck. But it is Burns we're talking about. 180 in his last dig wasn't enough to even get him in the squad last time. I'd say he needs a big score to get the selectors' attention or it's gonna be Harris all over again.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Maybe, although I don't see who is likely to be picked over Head. Pucovski is still raw and I doubt they will go back to S Marsh unless Head fails badly in his next couple of domestic games and Marsh backs up his double ton. Burns might miss out to Harris if Harris keeps getting runs but he'd be pretty unlucky if so.