Ramiz Raja cautions Pakistan team management about Naseem Shah

Former cricketer Ramiz Raja has cautioned the Pakistan coaching staff regarding carefully managing the workload of Pakistan’s 16-year-old pacer Naseem Shah.

The young pacer was taken off the field after completing his hat-trick towards the end of day three of first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. However, Pakistan breathed a sigh of relief after it was revealed that Naseem had avoided an injury scare and will be able to resume bowling in the next couple of days. 

While speaking in a Youtube video, the famous commentator advised the young pacer to work on his fitness.

“Pakistan’s bowling attack is still developing. It is still not complete. Naseem Shah is young and he has already got injured, so Pakistan needs to figure out his workload,” Raja said. “Naseem will get wickets for Pakistan and create excitement but you have to be careful with him and play him in selective matches. Naseem still needs to work on his fitness.”

“Test cricket is not easy for any 16-year-old. So Pakistan think thank will have to decide between playing him in all formats or restricting him to just Test cricket,” he added.

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The 57-year-old was happy to see leg-spinner Yasir Shah back among the wickets in the Rawalpindi Test.

“There are no concerns regarding Shaheen Afridi since he has become a complete bowler. Similarly, it was good to see Yasir Shah back in form because if your leg-spinner is out of touch in these pitches, then it becomes a problem for the team,” he said.

Raja also believes that Pakistan’s right-hand batsman Babar Azam should move up the order in Test cricket.

“Babar Azam is the best batsman in the Test team and should bat at number three position so that he gets to face maximum overs,” he said. “Babar’s rich vein of form can give a head start to Pakistan, so Azhar Ali should drop down to number four.”