Asia Cup 2022 Championship: Pakistan prodigy and new pace brigade - Wasim junior and Naseem Shah
A few weeks back, uncapped 19-year-old pacer Naseem Shah replaced out-of-form pacer Hasan Ali, in Pakistan's squad for Asia Cup 2022. Debuting in One Day Internationals in a three-match series against the Netherlands before the Asia Cup, he put forward a brilliant performance to leave a strong impression of his potential
Naseem Shah: new pace brigadeThe pacer was in such good touch that he finished his spell with a five-wicket haul conceding 33 runs in 10 overs. Another young pacer backed him, Mohammad Wasim, who returned with four wickets for 36 runs as the duo scalped nine wickets to help Pakistan grab a 9-run win.
Crediting the win to the pacer, skipper Babar Azam said, "They bowled very well in the second innings. He's (Naseem) bowling very well with the new ball and in the death overs. Wasim also bowling well."
Selecting 19-year-old Naseem Shah in the Asia Cup squad, Chief selector Muhammad Wasim said, "He is express fast and can give further impetus to the fast bowling department."
Though he has minimal experience in international white-ball cricket, he is a pace prodigy who plays attacking with good pace and controlled swing. His in-swingers against the Netherlands left batters completely surprised at many moments.
Mohammad Wasim has played 19 white ball matches for Pakistan and has picked 27 wickets in total. His economy rate of 5.14 has been phenomenal in ODIs and a decent rate of 8.10 in T20Is.
Both the pacers are included in the Asia Cup squad and are likely to shoulder the responsibility in the absence of their leading pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. The team has plenty of other pacers apart from Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim in Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Mohammad Hasnain. It will be interesting to see which three pacers will make it to the playing XI.