The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a pragmatic approach, as they withdrew fast-bowler Naseem Shah from Pakistan’s under-19 squad for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup 2020 in South Africa while saying the young gun has established his credentials as an international cricketer.

The PCB has named Mohammad Wasim, the 18-year-old fast bowler, as the replacement for Shah who recently made his debut his international debut for Pakistan’s senior team in Australia.

Naseem was named in the Under-19 squad for the mega event in South Africa on the insistence of junior head coach Ejaz Ahmed but his impressive show against Australia and Sri Lanka forced the PCB to offer him more opportunities at the senior level to prove his mettle at the global stage.

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PCB CEO Wasim Khan confirmed the same in a statement, “Naseem has recently broken that glass ceiling and has established his credentials as an international cricketer. As such, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a pragmatic approach and decided to withdraw him from next year's competition to provide this opportunity to another promising cricketer so that he can show his mettle and potential at a global stage.”

Wasim signed off by saying, “Naseem will now remain in Pakistan and continue to work on his skills under the watchful eyes of bowling coach Waqar Younis. Furthermore, he will remain available for the home series against Bangladesh.”

Noteworthy, the U19 World Cup is scheduled to be held in South Africa from 17 January to 9 February while the 2004 and 2006 champions and three-time runners-up placed in Group C of the 16-team event will play Scotland in their tournament-opening match 19 January in Potchefstroom.

(With PTI Inputs)