Naseem Shah's participation in Under-19 Cricket World Cup hangs in balance

Young Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah's participation in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup to be held in South Africa early next year hangs in balance, as the senior team management is not in favour of releasing him for this event.

However, the junior team management wants the fast bowler freed up for the Under-19 World Cup, as originally planned. Naseem Shah was named in the World Cup squad on December 6 after making his Test debut in Australia last month, to link up with his team-mates, who have been at a preparatory camp in Lahore since November 25.

The senior team's next assignment is a home series against Bangladesh, which is not confirmed yet given the visiting team's stated unwillingness to play Test cricket in Pakistan. If the Test matches - the only format Shah has played so far at the international level - do take place, they must be in early February.

As per schedule, the last T20I against Bangladesh is scheduled for January 27, and the PSL begins in the third week of February. The Under-19 World Cup, meanwhile, runs from January 17 to February 10.

Pakistan Under-19 head coach Ijaz Ahmed said, "If it's not Tests and only T20I against Bangladesh, I think the senior team have plenty of options to pick from and can easily release Naseem Shah."

Ijaz said, "I don't mind if they opts Naseem against Bangladesh in Tests, but if the series isn't happening, then I would very much want the young pacer in the squad for the World Cup."

"Naseem Shah is important not just because he played Test cricket, but he was always the first-choice bowler for us in the World Cup," Ijaz said, adding: "I had requested Misbah to release Naseem Shah, if he is not playing the Tests against Bangladesh."

It may be noted that Pakistan, like the other teams, can make changes to their Under-19 squad till January 10 without worrying about an ICC approval. After that, players can be replaced only on fitness grounds and will require the approval of the ICC's event technical committee. It may be noted that Naseem Shah's Test debut in Australia was largely an experiment, with him having played only seven first-class matches prior.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019