5 debutants in Test cricket who are underage

To play international Test cricket, one must put in years of hard work. Many players toil on the field while devoting years of their lives to first-class cricket in an effort to be chosen by the selectors for their national teams.

. On the other hand, there are some remarkable athletes who were able to draw attention to themselves via their talent and made their international debuts as teenagers.

At the age of 16 years and 279 days, Naseem Shah attracted a lot of attention in 2019 when he made his Test debut for Pakistan against Australia in Brisbane. Afghanistan’s first Test match was against India in Bangalore in June 2018, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman made history by debuting as his country’s youngest-ever Test player at the age of 17 years and 78 days. Along with these two well-known athletes, numerous other players have made news for starting their careers in international cricket at a young age. Speaking further

Here are the five youngest Test debutants

slide 1 of 5

1

1. Sachin Tendulkar- 16 years 205 days

From 1989 to 2013, Sachin Tendulkar served India for 24 years. After a remarkable cricketing career, he was crowned the game’s best batter after tallying 34357 runs in 664 international matches across all formats. With 15921 runs in 200 innings, he continues to hold the record for most runs scored in Tests.

Tendulkar had the opportunity to make his international debut during the first Test against the bitter rivals in Karachi in 1989 when India toured Pakistan for four Tests and four One-Day Internationals (ODI). Tendulkar made his first appearance when he was just 16 years and 205 days old, making him the youngest player to represent India in cricket’s longest format.

The Master Blaster scored 15 runs for India in his first Test after entering the batting order at number six. The Test match ultimately resulted in a draw, but the teenager made headlines since he represented India at the young age of 16.

2

2. Aaqib Javed- 16 years 189 days

For playing Test cricket for Pakistan at the age of 16 years and 189 days in 1989, Aaqib Javed became well-known. After the first Test was abandoned, both teams traveled to Wellington to face off in the second Test during Pakistan’s 1989 tour to New Zealand, which included three Tests and four ODIs.

Along with Imran Khan and Saleem Jaffar, Aaqib was a member of Pakistan’s 11-man squad to face the Kiwis in the second game, strengthening Pakistan’s speed assault. Javed’s inability to take any wickets with the ball on his debut game prevented him from having an effect. Imran Khan, the captain of Pakistan, removed him from the team for the third Test after the game ended in a draw as a result of his poor performance with the ball.

Javed became one of Pakistan’s best bowlers while representing his country in international cricket from 1992 to 1998. The speedster played in 22 Test matches, taking 54 wickets in 37 innings. His greatest bowling performance came against Sri Lanka at the Iqbal Stadium in 1995, when he had a bowling average of 5/84.

3

3. Mohammad Sharif- 15 years and 128 days

At the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh played its first Test match against India in November 2000. One of the squad’s stalwarts entered the record books for becoming the third youngest cricketer to play Test cricket five months after the team made its debut in the longest version of the game.

For three ODIs and a few Test matches, Bangladesh toured Zimbabwe in April 2001. Bangladesh and the hosts squared off in the first Test at Bulawayo after Bangladesh lost the ODI series. Despite Mohammad Sharif being only 15 years and 128 days old, his country’s youngest Test cricketer, Zimbabwe won the game by an innings and 32 runs.

Sharif’s fast bowling was limited to one wicket in a losing effort. In his limited international career, the pacer played for Bangladesh in 10 Test matches and claimed 14 wickets in 11 innings. He stayed active for Bangladesh until 2007.

4

4. Mushtaq Mohammad- 15 years and 124 days

Pakistan’s captain from 1976 to 1979, Mushtaq Mohammad, had a remarkable Tests career. Mushtaq had a successful 20-year Test career, becoming the only all-rounder to twice make a hundred and take five wickets in a single Test match. During the West Indies tour of Pakistan in 1959, Mushtaq made his Test debut.

Mushtaq, who is 15 years and 124 days old, was included in Pakistan’s starting XI for the third Test of the match at Lahore. Mushtaq made history as the youngest player to represent any team in international cricket during those times with his first appearance.

With their victories in the first two Tests, Pakistan had an insurmountable lead in the series, so the visitors were competing for pride in their final match. The most recent game was won by the Caribbeans by 156 runs over one innings. Mushtaq, who was participating in his maiden international game, also had a disappointing experience as he misfired both with the bat and the ball.

5

5. Hasan Raza- 14 years and 227 days

When Zimbabwe visited Pakistan in 1996, Hasan Raza made history for his country. Wasim Akram, the captain of Pakistan, made a few adjustments after the first Test ended in a draw to help his team win the second Test at Faisalabad. Azam Khan was replaced by Hasan Raza in the starting lineup for the second Test by the renowned Pakistani player.

At 14 years and 227 days old, Raza made his Test cricket debut against Zimbabwe in the second match, making him the game’s youngest player ever. Throughout the entire game, Pakistan outperformed Zimbabwe and won by a margin of 10 wickets.

At number five in the first innings of his first Test, Raza scored 27 runs for his team, helping them to a lopsided victory. In the nine years following his international retirement in 2005, Raza played in just seven Test matches for his country, compiling a total of 235 runs including a few half-centuries in 10 innings.