Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has high hopes for Naseem Shah as the 16-year-old prepares to make his Test debut against Australia on Thursday.
Azhar praised the seamer's technical abilities and mental strength after the teenager suffered a personal tragedy following the recent death of his mother.
Although Pakistan's line-up for the clash at the Gabba is yet to be revealed, Azhar confirmed Naseem would be involved and he has high hopes for the youngster.
"Not many players can be at that standard so early but there are exceptions and he is one of them," said the skipper ahead of the two-match series.
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"And hopefully – we are all looking forward to it – he can have a very successful career.
"When I saw him first, I was so surprised. The control he had, the pace he had – and the temperament and the composure when he bowls is so exciting to see."
Naseem Shah is set to make his Test debut tomorrow at the Gabba!
— ICC (@ICC) November 20, 2019
The 16-year-old will become the youngest male cricketer to play a maiden Test on Australian soil.
How excited are you to see the teenage sensation in action? pic.twitter.com/PvfLrqrhp9
Naseem, who will become the youngest male Test debutant on Australian soil, played in a warm-up match in the aftermath of his mother's passing and Azhar paid credit to his courage.
"Obviously, it was a hard time for him but he coped with it very nicely and he came out and bowled the very next day, which is very heartening," he said.
"He is opening up a little bit. Obviously, when he came in to first-class cricket, he was a bit shy but now he is starting to enjoy it."
Pakistan have not won a Test match in Australia since 1995 and have never triumphed in a series there in the longest format.