Pakistan wonder kid gets nod for NZ Tests

Pakistan’s selectors on Saturday included their teenage pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi in a 15-man squad for the first two of the three Tests against New Zealand starting in Abu Dhabi next week.

The 18-year-old has been in devastating form in the ongoing one-day series in United Arab Emirates, taking 4/46 and 4/38 in the two matches so far. The third and final one-day international is in Dubai on Sunday.

He also took 3/20 in a Twenty20 match against New Zealand and four wickets in two Twenty20 internationals against Australia last month, also in the UAE.

The sensational pace bowler emerged on the scene last year, taking 8/39 in an innings on his first class debut, the best-ever figures by a Pakistani bowler in his first match.

Pakistan and New Zealand play the first Test in Abu Dhabi from November 16-20. The second match will be in Dubai from November 24-28 while the final Test is also in Abu Dhabi from December 3-7. A squad for the final Test will be announced later.

“Shaheen has been included in the squad keeping into account his current form,” said chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Fast bowler Mohammad Amir is still sidelined after his recent poor form while another paceman Wahab Riaz was dropped after going wicketless in the first Test against Australia last month.

Left-hander Saad Ali was selected again after his fighting hundred for Pakistan A against New Zealand A in Abu Dhabi this week but there was no place for Shan Masood who hit centuries in each innings of the first game between the A teams in Dubai last month.

Pakistan Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Saad Ali, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza. –