The PCB – Pakistan Cricket Board has withdrawn the teenage pace sensation Naseem Shah from U-19 World Cup squad due to a potential scheduling conflict with his engagements in the senior team.
Earlier, Shah was included in the final list of players submitted to the ICC – International Cricket Council by PCB ahead of the U-19 World Cup scheduled to begin from 17 January in South Africa.
16-year-old pacer made his international cricket debut in November when he was awarded Test cap before the first test against Australia in Perth.
Shah then participated in the test series against Sri Lanka and claimed five wickets haul in the second test in Karachi.
PCB CEO Wasim Khan defended the decision to withdraw Naseem Shah from U-19 squad by claiming that as the pacer had already debuted in international cricket so it made more sense to expose him to the senior game and thus enable him to further hone his skills.
Khan also said that Shah’s absence from the junior squad will not hurt Pakistan’s chances in the U-19 World Cup as Pakistan had decided upon a balanced side. Mohammad Wasim Jr. will replace him in the team.
Social media users also weighed on the controversial decision with some in favor and some against it.
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