Naseem Shah: Just how old is Pakistan’s teen quick sensation?

Pakistan’s impressive teen paceman Naseem Shah is one of the stories of the summer – but reports have surfaced questioning just how old the rising star is...

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali (left) speaks with Naseem Shah during his bowling spell on day two of the first Test Match between Australia and Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane, Friday, November 22, 2019. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

• Day one report: Starc fires up late to demolish Pakistan
• Craddock: Time for cricket to get out of the stone age

Naseem Shah’s second day as a Test cricketer started with questions being raised about his true age and ended with Pakistani teenager limping from the Gabba.

David Warner gave Shah a brutal introduction to Test cricket as he smashed an unbeaten 151 to put Australia in a commanding position in the first Test of the summer.

Shah was the feel-good story of the match buildup, with the 16-year-old fast bowler thrust into his Test debut against an Australian team featuring Warner and Steve Smith.

Stream the Australia v Pakistan Test Series Live & Ad-Break Free During Play with KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly>

Pakistan's paceman Naseem Shah (C) has had his age questioned in Indian media. Picture: AFP

Shah didn’t even get the chance to bowl to Smith as Australia lost only one wicket in a dominant display of batting to finish 1-312 at stumps.

Shah nearly had a dream first Test wicket when he had Warner caught behind on 56 shortly after lunch.

But replays showed Shah clearly overstepping the crease, leading to a no-ball being called and Warner turning around to stride back out to the middle.

It may have been the first time Shah has played in a match where umpires can call for video replays of no-balls.

Lots of chat regarding Naseem Shah around the world. Just for the record, his correct age is 17 not 16 #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) November 13, 2019

Shah shocked the cricket world when he made his debut on Thursday at the age of 16 years and 279 days.

Shah’s official record lists his date of birth as February 15, 2003, making him the youngest ever Test debutant in Australia.

But reports from Indian media overnight suggested there is uncertainty around Shah’s true age, with claims he may have been as old as 16 when attending a television show cricket camp called Kriket Superstars in 2016.

Shahid Afridi (L) was thought to be 16 when he made his debut... but it was later revealed he was 21. Picture: News Corp

A popular Pakistan cricket Twitter account, Saj Sadiq, claimed earlier this month that Shah was 17.

“Lots of chat regarding Naseem Shah around the world. Just for the record, his correct age is 17 not 16,” Sadiq tweeted on November 14.

Regardless of his age, Shah’s introduction to Test cricket was a sobering one.

Shah hit 147.7kmh in his first over on Friday morning, eclipsing Australian quicks Mitchell Starc (146.5kmh) and Pat Cummins (146kmh) as the fastest bowler in the match.

But the strain of going wicketless in 16 overs for 65 runs on a hot Brisbane day took its toll on the youngster as he produced some poor fielding and appeared to limp late in the day.

Originally published as Naseem Shah: Just how old is Pakistan’s teen quick sensation?