5 youngest debutants in International Cricket

Nothing is perhaps as exciting in cricket as to see a young player make a mark against the best in the world. The annals of cricket history are replete with great examples of very young cricketers, only in their teens, making a significant impact on international cricket.

Here, we look at the five youngest debutants in international cricket. Some went on to achieve great things, while some, after the initial promise, fizzled out. Have a look.

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Hasan Raza (Pakistan)

Raza created quite a sensation when he burst into the international scene back in the 90s, only because of his age. At 14 years and 227 days – when most kids are busy mugging up for their school exams – Hasan Raza of Pakistan created history by becoming the youngest ever cricketer to play an international Test match.

The stylish right-handed batsman began decently – scoring 27 in his first match against Zimbabwe at Faisalabad, Pakistan, 1996 - and a lot was expected of him. However, he could not continue his promise and was soon discarded by the selectors.

Raza played only 7 Tests for Pakistan and scored 235 runs in them at an average of 26 with two fifties. Currently, the 34-year-old continues to play in Pakistan’s domestic scene and still hopes of staging a comeback.

Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan)

Before Raza broke it, it was Pakistan’s Mushtaq Mohammad who had held the record for being the youngest to play international cricket at the age of 15 years and 224 days back in 1959 against West Indies.

Unlike Raza, however, Mushtaq went on to become a prominent force in Pakistan's batting line-up and played 57 Test matches for the country; scoring 3643 at an average of 39 with 10 centuries and 19 fifties.

He had a best score of 201 not out against New Zealand at Dunedin. He was also a reliable leg-spinner and took 79 Test wickets in his career. At his best, Mushtaq was a very gutsy batsman with a lot of flair and could take on the best in the world.

Aaqib Javed (Pakistan)

One can say that Aaqib Javed never quite got the due credit he should have, as he was forever under the shadows of other, bigger bowlers in his team. Nevertheless, Aaqib was one fine fast bowler and had mastered the art of reverse swing.

He made his debut at the age of 16 years and 189 days against New Zealand at Wellington in 1989. Although he didn’t have a very impressive Test record – 54 wickets in 22 matches – he was pretty effective in the shorter format and took 182 wickets in 163 matches in ODIs.

Aaqib’s moment of glory came in October 1991 when he recorded figures of 7-37 - the best international bowling figures then - against India at the Wills Trophy Final at Sharjah. This magnificent effort also included a hat-trick.

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Need one even say anything about this legendary cricketer? Possibly the greatest batsman to have played the game, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar made his famous debut against Pakistan at Karachi in 1989.

Even as a young kid of 16 years and 205 days, facing up to the likes of Wasim Akram and Imran Khan, Sachin impressed one and all. What happened in the coming years is history. Sachin has smashed and created records in his career that shall perhaps never be broken.

In 200 Tests, he amassed 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78 with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries and a highest of 248 not out against Bangladesh. In ODIs, he was even greater as he cracked 18,423 runs at an average of 44.83 with 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries and a highest score of an unbeaten 200 against South Africa.

More than the records, though, Sachin’s impact was more about almost single-handedly carrying his team for more than a decade and getting the respect of the entire world for his humble nature.

Aftab Baloch (Pakistan)

The fourth Pakistani on the list, Aftab Baloch is a name that not many know of and yet he had made news when he made his Test debut at the age of 16 years and 221 days against New Zealand at Dhaka in 1969.

A fluent right-handed batsman, Aftab could not make much of a mark and got to play just two Tests for Pakistan; scoring 97 runs in them with a highest score of 60 not out against West Indies. Aftab garnered a lot of news when he scored a mammoth 428 in a domestic match - for Sind against Baluchistan in 1973.

However, that did not help him make his name in the national side which was teeming with great batsmen.

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Player	Age	Team	Opposition	Venue	Match Date
Hasan Raza	14 years and 227 days	Pakistan	Zimbabwe	Faislabad	24 October 1996
Mushtaq Mohammad	15 years and 224 days	Pakistan	West Indies	Lahore	26 March 1959
Aaqib Javed	16 years and 189 days	Pakistan	New Zealand	Wellington	10 February 1989
Sachin Tendulkar	16 years and 205 days	India	Pakistan	Karachi	15 November 1989
Aftab Baloch	16 years and 221 days	Pakistan	New Zealand	Dhaka	8 November 1969