Pakistan is famous for producing some of the youngest bowlers in world cricket, and many great bowlers from Pakistan started their careers at a very young age. In this article, we shall look at some of the youngest Pakistani bowlers to pick up a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
1. Nasim-ul-Ghani
Nasim-ul-Ghani was a left-arm medium bowler born in Delhi, India. Nasim also used to bowl left-arm orthodox. He played his first Test match in 1958 against the West Indies at Bridgetown. In the same series against the Windies in 1958, Nasim became the youngest bowler in Test cricket to take a five-wicket haul. He registered the figures of 5 for 116 when he was just 16 and 303 days old.
2. Naseem Shah
Number two on our list is Naseem Shah, the young fast bowling talent from Pakistan who is currently one of the quickest fast bowlers in world cricket. Naseem was born on February 15, 2003, and made his Test debut in 2019 against Australia in Brisbane. When he was 16 and 307 days old, he took his first five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Karachi in 2019. His figures were 5 for 31.
3. Mohammad Amir
Next on the list is Mohammad Amir, the left-arm fast-medium bowler from Punjab, Pakistan. Amir played his first Test match for Pakistan in 2009 against Sri Lanka at Galle. In 2009, at the age of 17 years and 257 days, he took his first five-wicket haul against Australia in Melbourne, picking up five wickets for 79 runs.
4. Shahid Afridi
Next, we have Shahid Afridi, one of Pakistan’s most prolific all-rounders and a former captain. Afridi used to bowl right-arm leg spin and made his Test debut in 1998 against Australia in Karachi. In his very first match, he took a brilliant five-wicket haul, giving away just 52 runs. He was 18 and 235 days old when he took his first fifer.
5. Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram was a left-arm fast bowler born in Lahore, Punjab, and one of cricket’s most renowned fast bowlers, is next to feature on our list. In 1985, Wasim played his first Test match against New Zealand in Auckland. In this very series, he took his maiden five-wicket haul at Dunedin, registering a figure of 5 for 56.
6. Shahid Nazir
Shahid Nazir was a right-arm fast-medium bowler born on December 4, 1977, in Faisalabad, Punjab. Nazir played his first Test match in 1996 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura. When he was 18 years & 318 days old, he took his first and only five-wicket haul in Test cricket in his debut match.
7. Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis, a right-arm fast bowler from Vehari, Punjab, and a former Pakistan captain, is next on our list. Waqar debuted for Pakistan in Test cricket in 1989 against the West Indies at Sharjah. In 1990, he picked up his first five-wicket haul at the age of 18 years and 336 days against New Zealand at Lahore. His figures were seven wickets for 86 runs.
8. Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen Shah Afridi is a left-arm fast bowler for Pakistan and is one of the best bowlers in world cricket at present. Shaheen played his first Test in 2018 against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi. He took his first five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Karachi in 2019. He registered a figure of 5 for 77 at the age of 19 years and 257 days.
9. Mohammad Sami
Mohammad Sami was a right-arm fast bowler from Karachi, Sind. Sami made his Test debut in 2001 against New Zealand at Auckland. He picked up his first five-wicket haul in his debut match when he was 20 years and 12 days old. He registered a figure of 5 for 36, helping Pakistan win the Test match.
10. Azeem Hafeez
Azeem Hafeez was a left-arm fast-medium bowler from Jhelum, Punjab. Azeem made his Test debut in 1983 against India at Bengaluru. He took his first five-wicket haul in 1983 against Australia at Perth, picking up five wickets for 100 runs when he was 20 years and 105 days old. He played 18 Tests for Pakistan and took 63 wickets.
