16-Year-Old Test Player Naseem Shah Added to Pakistan’s Under-19 World Cup Squad

Naseem Shah, the 16-year-old teen sensation from Pakistan, who made his Test debut against Australia in Pakistan’s 0-2 series loss, will be joining Pakistan’s under-19 squad for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World CupWorld CupWorld Cup, slated for next year in January.

Shah, who was originally named in the World Cup squad, was in line to retain his place in the senior team for the home series against Sri Lanka. However, a report in ESPNcricinfo confirms that Shah will be released to take part in the World Cup. Coach Ijaz Ahmed also commented that Shah will be the main weapon for the team in the World  Cup.

“He is my main weapon and I need him there at the World Cup,” Ahmed, told the website. “He now has a taste of international cricket and now, at the home [Test] series against Sri Lanka, we are mainly banking on spinners. Pakistan have [Mohammad] Abbas and Shaheen [Afridi] to lead the fast-bowling attack according to the conditions.