KARACHI: In late September last year, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) head coach Ali Naqvi dropped the best of his pacers to field a certain 17-year-old in a Quaid-i-Azam Trophy pool match against Rawalpindi Region at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The 6ft-6in boy from Federally Administered Tribal Areas’ (Fata) Khyber Agency, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was also making his first-class debut, after a decent first innings performance of 1-45 in 19 overs, unleashed his real self in the second innings, bagging a magnificent eight wickets for 39 runs in 15 overs.

“We were not really surprised by this performance,” Ali told Dawn during a telephonic interview on Friday. “This lad was swinging the new and old Duke ball with ease during the net sessions,” added the former Test cricketer.

Duke is said to be a very difficult ball to control for pacers. The best struggle to acclimatise to it initially and adjusting to the right line and length takes time. “But Shaheen was doing it very naturally. He hardly took time to adjust with the cherry,” recalled Ali.

“He stands out with his quick learning ability, and does not need to be guided much.”

The KRL head coach added that Shaheen’s confidence and eagerness to perform also make him a very handy batsman and live wire in fielding department.

Ali, who was also the national junior selector from 2014-2016, spotted Shaheen when he was playing for Fata U-16 team and picked him for the Pakistan side of the same age group which was touring Australia in November 2015. Shaheen took four wickets to help Pakistan win both the one-day and Twenty20 series 2-1.

“Having known him since almost the start of his cricketing days I offered him to play for KRL,” Ali said.

Shaheen’s first Quaid Trophy stint was cut short due to his selection in the Pakistan side for the ICC U-19 World Cup earlier this year.

Though Pakistan finished third in the tournament, Shaheen was the team’s highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps in five matches with a superb 6-15 show against Ireland, which was also the best bowling performance by a Pakistani in a World Cup.

The left-armer’s next stage to shine was the recently-held Pakistan Super League’s (PSL), in which he grabbed seven wickets in as many matches. Shaheen’s best figures during the PSL — five wickets for four runs — came in a first-round clash with Multan Sultans.

The starlet, due to his consistency, was difficult to get ignored by the selectors for the three upcoming home T20 Internationals against the West Indies in Karachi.

Likely to make his international debut in one of the matches set to be held on coming Sunday, Monday and Tuesday — Shaheen will also get vulnerable to the after affects of becoming an international bowler for Pakistan.

It has been witnessed in the past that many cricketers fail to live up to the hype they create through their explosive performances at the start of their international careers.

“Let Shaheen be what he is. Please do not try to bring alterations and innovations in his approach just for the sake of change,” emphasised Ali expressing his suggestion for the coaches who are about to take the bowler under their supervision.

“Coaches should definitely counsel him and work on his game awareness but should let him stay natural with his bowling ability.”

The former batsman believed promising Shaheen will put extra pressure on the pacers, who are already a part of the national senior team, to perform better. “He can surely become Pakistan’s bowling spearhead in two, three years,” Ali maintained.

If dealt with care and sincerity, Ali says, “Shaheen is a star in the making.”

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2018