Cricket has seen a few extraordinary talents over the decades. Some of them came to the world stage at shockingly young ages. These child prodigies defied expectations and showcased skills far beyond their years.
Let’s look at the journeys of the 7 youngest international cricketers.
Top 7 Youngest International Cricketer in the World
7. Mohammad Sharif
Age at Debut: 17 years
Country: Bangladesh
Playing Role: All-rounder
Photo Source: BDCrictime
Mohammad Sharif made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in 2001 at 17. Apart from bowling, he was known as a big-hitting lower-order batsman in his hometown Narayanganj.
In 2008, Mohammad Sharif joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). This was a high risk to his future with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). He faced a 10-year ban from the BCB but quit the ICL the following year.
Mohammad Sharif currently plays in the National Cricket League (NCL) for Dhaka after returning from the ICL.
Did You Know?
Mohammad Sharif suffered from a niggling groin injury after the 2003 World Cup, requiring surgeries in India and Australia. He returned to the national side almost four years later for the tour of Zimbabwe.
6. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Age at Debut: 16 years
Country: Afghanistan
Playing Role: Bowler
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mujeeb Ur Rahman was 16 when he made history as Afghanistan’s youngest Test cricketer. This was in the 2018 test match against India. He has been a spin-bowling asset for his nation ever since.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman made his international debut for Afghanistan in 2017. He is also the youngest to take five wickets in an ODI at the age of 16 years. He is also the nephew of cricketer Noor Ali Zadran and cousin of Jamshid Zadran.
Did You Know?
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is a sought-after T20 player who represented various teams, including Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab, and Brisbane Heat.
5. Naseem Shah
Age at Debut: 16 years
Country: Pakistan
Playing Role: Bowler
Photo Source: India.com
Naseem Shah made his Pakistan debut in Test cricket in Brisbane at 16. He already has over 50 Test wickets at such a young age. Naseem Shah is also the youngest fast bowler in Test history to take a five-wicket haul. He is also the youngest to take a Test match hat-trick against Bangladesh. He is also the 9th youngest test debutant in history.
Naseem Shah has become a white-ball player in Shaheen Afridi’s absence, making significant contributions in T20Is. He tallied a memorable T20I debut, dismissing KL Rahul and troubling Virat Kohli. His reputation strengthened after his performance in the Asia Cup.
Did You Know?
Naseem Shah suffered from injuries early in his career. This sidelined him for over a year. Later, he successfully returned to international cricket against Australia in Lahore. He also overcame losing his mother before his Pakistan debut.
4. Sachin Tendulkar
Age at Debut: 16 years
Country: India
Playing Role: Top-order batter
Photo Source: Hearstapps
Sachin Tendulkar is regarded as one of the most complete and prolific batters in cricket history. He is known for his perfect balance, precise stroke-making, and anticipation. Sachin Tendulkar could also score runs around the wicket, adapt to various conditions, and play in different formats.
Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut at the age of 16 and scored his first Test century at 17. He holds numerous records, including most international centuries and most runs in Tests and ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar Became the first player to score a double century in one-day cricket. He also achieved the milestone of 100 international centuries, a feat unmatched in cricket history.
Sachin Tendulkar retired from ODIs in 2012 and Test cricket in 2013 after an illustrious career. He is respected worldwide and remains the most worshipped cricketer. He is also admired for his humility and sportsmanship.
Did You Know?
Sachin Tendulkar became cricket’s highest run-scorer across formats with 34,357 runs. He played for India for 24 years until his retirement in 2013.
3. Aaqib Javed
Age at Debut: 16 years
Country: Pakistan
Playing Role: Bowler
Photo Source: Cricket Addictor
Aaqib Javed debuted against New Zealand in 1989 at 16. He was part of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team, taking over 200 international wickets. Aaqib Javed was widely known to be an underrated fast-medium bowler. He was said to be overshadowed by Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Aaqib Javed retired in the middle of the match-fixing scandal that rocked Pakistani cricket in the late 1990s, even though he was a clean player. After retiring from cricket, he went into coaching. Under his coaching, the UAE cricket team gained ODI and T20I status and qualified for the 2015 World Cup.
Did You Know?
In Pakistan’s World Cup victory in 1992, Aaqib Javed was filling in for the injured Waqar Younis. He made more significant contributions in one-day cricket than in Tests.
2. Mushtaq Mohammad
Age at Debut: 15 years
Country: Pakistan
Playing Role: All-rounder
Photo Source: Tribune
Mushtaq Mohammad debuted against West Indies in 1959 at 15 years old. He was an exceptional all-rounder, and he scored over 30,000 first-class runs and took 79 Test wickets. He captained Pakistan from 1976-1979. Mushtaq Mohammad also led Pakistan in 19 Test matches, including a series win against India in 1978-79.
Mushtaq Mohammad was the youngest person to score a Test century at 17 years and 78 days old. He held this record for over 40 years. Mushtaq Mohammad also scored a double century and took five wickets in a Test match against New Zealand. It is a rare achievement in cricket. He also led Pakistan to the final of the 1999 Cricket World Cup as a coach.
Did You Know?
Mushtaq Mohammad received the Pride of Performance Award from the President of Pakistan in 1963 for his contributions to cricket.
1. Hasan Raza
Age at Debut: 14 years
Country: Pakistan
Playing Role: Batsman
Photo Source: Crictracker
Hasan Raza is the youngest Test cricketer ever. He debuted against Zimbabwe in 1996 at just 14 years old. He scored 235 runs in his brief 7-Test career. His young age led to investigations into his age claims.
He played for Pakistan from 1996 to 2005, facing periods of exclusion and recall.
Hasan Raza led Pakistan in 2007 to victory in Abu Dhabi, scoring a century in the final.
Hasan Raza was a prolific run-scorer in Pakistan’s domestic cricket. But he struggled to replicate success at the international level. He later joined the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and became the leading run-scorer in his first season.
Hasan Raza faced match-fixing allegations. Despite controversies, he continued to play domestic Pakistan cricket and represented the Pakistan A team.
Did You Know?
Hasan Raza faced allegations linked to the cricket fixing controversy by Al Jazeera, involving tampering with the Galle pitch. He was also excluded by Pakistan Television for the 2018–19 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy following the match-fixing allegations.
Conclusion
The contributions of these 7 youngest international cricketers remain to be honored. These prodigies overcame many physical and mental struggles of being in the spotlight at a young age.
While some of them hit roadblocks and made wrong decisions along the way, they have all contributed largely to their cricket teams and country. Some of them remained the greatest cricketers in history.
