Pakistan’s Naseem Shah avoids injury scare

Pakistan breathed a sigh of relief after it was revealed that rookie pacer Naseem Shah had avoided an injury scare and will able to resume bowling in the next couple of days.  

According to details, Naseem was named player of the match after his sensational bowling performance, which included a hat-trick, during the first Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.     

"I had an MRI, I had a muscle pull but the scan is clear. I should be able to resume bowling in two days,” said Naseem during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Naseem, aged 16 years and 359 days, became the youngest player to record a Test hat trick, besting Bangladeshi Alok Kapali who achieved the feat aged 19 in 2003.

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The right-arm pacer trapped batsman Najumul Hossain Shanto leg before off the fourth ball of his seventh over for 38, then followed up with dismissals of batsmen Taijul Islam (lbw) and Mahmudullah (caught) with the next two deliveries.

“Picking up a hat-trick in front of your home crowd is special. They added to the support and festivities. It was great fun. I only hope I will be able to live up to the expectation of fans and team-mates," he said.

Pakistan completed a crushing innings and 44-run victory over Bangladesh on the fourth morning on Monday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 168 in their second innings after resuming the day on 126-6 as Pakistan's pace and spin attack was too hot to handle despite a flat Rawalpindi stadium pitch.

Despite Naseem being unavailable to bowl on Monday with rib pain, Pakistan mopped up the last four wickets in 90 minutes, inflicting their 10th defeat on Bangladesh in 11 matches with one draw.