Test cricket is considered the most elite and challenging form of the game, and to excel in it at a young age is a rare feat. Bowling in Test cricket is an art that requires skill, accuracy, and a high level of fitness. In the history of cricket, there have been only a few instances where young players have taken five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. In this article, we will discuss the top three youngest players to achieve this feat.
1. Nasim-ul-Ghani– Pakistan- 16 years, 303 days
The first name on the list is Nasim-ul-Ghani. He was a Pakistani cricketer who played his debut Test match against the West Indies in 1958. At the age of 16 years and 303 days, he became the youngest player to take a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
He picked up five wickets for 116 runs in the second innings of the match played at the Bourda Oval in Georgetown. Although Pakistan lost the match by an innings and 174 runs, Nasim-ul-Ghani’s performance was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable game.
2. Naseem Shah– Pakistan- 16 years, 307 days
The second name on the list is Naseem Shah, another Pakistani cricketer. He made his debut against Australia in November 2019 and took five wickets in his third Test match against Sri Lanka in December of the same year. At the age of 16 years and 307 days, he became the second-youngest player to take a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
He picked up five wickets for 31 runs in the first innings of the match played at the National Stadium in Karachi. His impressive bowling helped Pakistan win the match by 263 runs.
3. Mohammad Amir– Pakistan- 17 years, 257 days
The third name on the list is Mohammad Amir, a Pakistani cricketer who made his debut against Sri Lanka in July 2009. He took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket against Australia in December of the same year at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
At the age of 17 years and 257 days, he became the third-youngest player to achieve this feat. He picked up five wickets for 79 runs in the first innings of the match. Although Pakistan lost the match by 170 runs, Amir’s performance was appreciated by cricket fans and experts worldwide.