Naseem Shah’s Age: PCB Slams India & Clears Ambiguity

Doubts on the age of Pakistan’s teenage fast bowling sensation Naseem Shah have surfaced lately very soon after his emotional debut against Australia at Brisbane.

An article published in 2016 came out on social media where former West Indian fast bowler Andy Roberts was quoted as calling Naseem Shah as a 16-year old talent.

This led to questions over the legitimacy of the fast bowlers’ age.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), after the team’s loss to Australia, came out to clear the air over the issue.

As per Channel Nine, Chief Executive of PCB, Wasim Khan said, “You only need to look at his face. He’s hardly got any growth on his face. In terms of that, people question it no doubt, just because of his age and the fact that he’s a mature lad and the fact that he’s playing international cricket at this age.”

“But the bottom line is he’s 16 years old and he’s playing. We don’t really care what India think.”

Putting aside these accusations, Naseem Shah did not have the greatest of debuts, with his team trashed by Australia by an innings and five runs. Shah almost had a dream start when he dismissed David Warner, but was called a no-ball. It was Naseem Shah who dismissed Warner in the end, but not before he scored 154 runs. Warner added 222 for the first wicket with Joe Burns and close to 100 for the second wicket with Marnus Labuschagne before edging one to Rizwan. Labuschagne’s 185 meant that Australia posted a mammoth 580 runs in the first innings which made sure they did not have to bat again.

The wicket of David Warner remained Naseem Shah’s sole wicket in his debut match, bit he did show some promise for the future.