Former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar had lauded 16-year-old pacer Naseem Shah and said that Pakistan has found a tagda bowler in him. The youngster impressed one and all with his raw pace and intimidatory attitude in practice matches in Australia, where he is slated to make his Test debut at the Gabba, Brisbane.

Naseem found many supporters and displayed amazing courage and temperament as he decided to stay back and keep playing in the practice match despite receiving news of his mother’s death.

AUS v PAK 2019: Pacer Naseem Shah set for Test debut at the age of just 16

Akhtar also compared his temperament to that of Virat Kohli’s and gave the example of the Indian captain, who returned to play for Delhi in a Ranji game, a day after performing the final rites for his father.  

“As a bowler, I can say that Pakistan has found a solid [Tagda] fast bowler. What I really like about Naseem Shah is that he understands how to bowl. To know how to bowl at this young age is amazing and it's inbuilt in some – this is the same as Mohammad Amir as when he came on to the scene in 2009. I want to see a fast bowler who has a strong character and I know that every fast-bowler gets hit about in Australia but when you fight it out, you are also appreciated there,” Shoaib Akhtar said in his YouTube channel.

Akhtar cautioned the team from putting Naseem under extreme pressure. “We have to wait and then see how he responds when he puts under pressure, but I really wish him the best of luck. He has already shown a lot of courage by staying back despite the demise of his mother,” he said.

Here is the video: