Teenager Naseem will trouble world’s best warns Waqar

PACE legend Waqar Younis says teenage sensation Naseem Shah has all the tools to become the next big thing for Pakistan.

The teenage fast bowler made a decent first impression with his speed – consistently hitting over 90mph – and aggression in the first Test. And while bowling coach Waqar says Naseem has more to give when he improves his fitness, he believes he can prove a matchwinner this summer.

“With Naseem, he is very, very talented and only 17,” said the former Pakistan quick.

“His bones are still growing but what a talent he is. I don’t think he really bowled as well as we expected in the first Test, but he can really bowl well and take the opposition on at times.

“Because he is young, he is inexperienced and it gets tough at times.

“He is one for the future. He is going to get stronger and fitter and will be able to bowl longer spells and will cause trouble to batsmen around the world.”

Naseem showed decent pace at Old Trafford and also allied it with hostile spells.

He may only have taken two wickets but he removed Joe Root in England’s run chase and Ollie Pope with a brute in the first innings – and also hit second-innings hero Chris Woakes on the helmet.

And throughout he was not afraid to eyeball England’s batsmen.

“If you’re a fast bowler, you should be able to look in the eyes of the batsmen and run in hard at them and make sure you show your ability, which he does,” said Waqar.

“He is still learning and it is going to take a bit of time as he plays more cricket, but he will mature and then he will be harder to face once he has more experience.

“Once he gets fitter and bowls more overs, he will definitely be a force for Pakistan for the next few years. He has the potential to become a very good bowler.”

Pakistan are relishing the chance to bounce back and level the series in the second Test at Southampton.

And Waqar believes the absence of England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes has increased their chances of doing just that.

“He’s the kind of batsman who takes the game away from you single-handedly at times,” he said.

“It is unfortunate for cricket he is not around but there’s no doubt he’s a matchwinner, so for him to not be there probably makes England a touch light in their middle order. We are going to talk about that and try to

cash in.”