Australia v Pakistan: Pat Cummins wary of teenage pacer Naseem Shah's prowess

Waseem Ahmed 13:28 18/11/2019
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  • Naseem Shah could make his Test debut against Australia.

    Australia pace ace Pat Cummins is wary of the prowess of Pakistan teenager Naseem Shah who could be in line to make his Test debut in the upcoming series between the two sides.

    The 16-year-old was a surprise call-up for the two-match series which begins on Thursday and was highly impressive in Pakistan’s recent warm-up clash against a Cricket Australia XI in Perth.

    Cummins, who is the No1 ranked Test bowler in the world by some distance, believes Shah’s youthful exuberance might work in his favour if he debuts in the upcoming series.

    “It’s crazy, isn’t it? I debuted when I was 18 but I think, two years earlier when I was 16, I think I was playing second grade,” the 26-year-old was quotes as saying by Fox Sports.

    “By all reports, he bowls fast, is quite lively and sometimes that’s almost better, when you start off a little bit naive.

    “You just want to go out and bowl fast and not be clouded by the baggage of a few long days in the dirt.”

    On his own part, Cummins in banking on his accuracy to get the better of Pakistan’s batsmen in the two Test clashes.

    The 26-year-old is the runaway leader currently in the ICC Test rankings for bowlers and has been displayed impressive consistency in the last three years, after what was a frustrating period dealing with injuries.

    Pat Cummins is the No1 ranked Test bowler by some distance.

    Pat Cummins is the No1 ranked Test bowler by some distance.

    Pakistan’s batsmen, particularly Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam, have been looking in excellent form in the warm-up clashes although one of the games was played under lights with a pink ball.

    Cummins believes the visitors will find the going tough when the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane gets underway on Thursday with a red ball.

    “They (Pakistan) have obviously had a good week over in Perth, but it’s pink ball that game, this game’s a red ball,” Cummins was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

    “We’ve got lots of guys coming off really good starts to the Shield season, guys that have played in the Ashes only six or seven weeks ago.”

    The first Test between Australia and Pakistan will take place at the Gabba in Brisbane while the second and final match will be a day-night affair in Adelaide.

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