Let the young bloke loose

The Chronicle sport team today looks at the merite or otherwise of Pakistan blooding a 16-year-old Test paceman.

Pakistan's Naseem Shah in action at the Gabba yesterday: Photo: AP Photo/Tertius Pickard.

JASON GIBBS: Naseem Shah’s introduction to Test cricket was tough to say the least.

The 16-year-old quick entered the Gabba with bat in hand - facing down a Mitchell Starc hat-trick ball.

He narrowly avoided chopping the ball onto his own stumps before finishing with 26 runs to his name - bowled over by Starc.

Watching him warm-up on Thursday I have to say I would never have picked for him a teenager and I think that shows where professional sport is right now.

He looks every bit the fast bowler so physically he’ll be able to handle the demands of Test cricket.

Mentally is a whole different story but from all accounts this kid is “strong”.

He’s still on tour despite the untimely passing of his mother last week and he obviously has the backing of his team and family.

There’s also the fact that Pakistan aren’t exactly desperate for quality quicks.

Cricket is part of Pakistan’s DNA so I doubt the selectors would pick him purely for a few cheap headlines.

Enough people see talent and potential in him so that makes him good enough in my book.

SEAN TEUMA: The old saying is if they’re old enough, they’re good enough, and I couldn’t agree more.

How big a thrill would this whole week have been for Naseem, he’d be loving every minute of it.

The young bloke obviously has talent, and the seal of approval from Wasim Akram is a fair endorsement that he will be ready.

I feel like cricketers are best able to handle the pressures of competing at a young age and keeping that spot over a prolonged period of time.

You only have to look at a local level, with Paul Draheim making his A-grade debut as a 14-year-old for Southern Districts.

The club has rebuilt itself on giving young players a go, and young Paul has handled it well.

The Magpies mightn’t be up there with the likes of Wests and Mets currently, but given their time to flourish, they will be.

It’s simple, but the only way that you’re able to improve yourself is by playing against the elite athletes in whatever field it is.

If they’ve got the ability, they’re more than ready.

GLEN McCULLOUGH: Naseem Shah’s birth certificate might say he is 16 years old but obviously he is not your average schoolboy.

Watching him on Thursday he appeared physically and mentally well ahead of his tender years.

Only from the sub-contintent would you see a 16-year-old appear on the world stage taking on the cream of international, hard-headed professional cricketers.

I couldn’t imagine any other cricket-playing nation throwing up anyone similar.

Don’t ask me why, but Australia in a million years would never consider letting a lad of Naseem Shah’s youth anywhere near an Australian baggy green.

That’s if we could even unearth such a talent.

I think Australian “child protection” playing guidelines would restrict young players from even progressing that far.

You reckon Pakistan would have enough mature bowling talent amongst its population of 212 million to hold up a bowling end without snatching players from the cradle.

But let’s hope young Shah is the real deal and can deliver on his promise.

All eyes are currently on him and Test cricket these needs days all the exposure and publicity it can muster.