Top 5 youngest bowlers to take 5-wicket hauls in Test cricket

Although cricket has become a batsmen's game, bowlers still have an integral role to play. Bowling is probably the toughest job in cricket; it is strenuous and draining, yet more appealing than any other aspect, especially if practised by young bowlers.

With the broadening of bat edges and shortening of the boundaries, cricket is becoming challenging by the day for the bowlers. Test cricket, which is considered to be the ultimate form of the game, tests the players to their core, in accordance with its name. It brings out the real character of a player.

On one side, when Test Cricket pushes the most experienced of players, it also witnesses young, talented and fearless players shining at the helm.

In cricket, there is no better sight than watching a young bowler sending the middle stump for a cartwheel. There is a delight when their fresh yet inexperienced skills prove too good to fox the most experienced of players.

On that note, this list contains the 5 youngest bowlers to take a 5-wicket haul in Test Cricket:

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#5 Pat Cummins (18y 193d)

Patrick Cummins blazed on his debut at the Wanderers

This tall and well-built fast-bowler from Australia shot to fame in his debut game against South Africa at the Wanderers in 2011. Pat Cummins, who plays his domestic cricket for New South Wales made his International debut at the young age of 18.

At 18, he was the second youngest debutant for Australia. In the second Test at against South Africa in 2011, he bowled fierce spells in both the innings, taking six wickets in the second innings.

His 6/79 in the second innings helped Australia win the second Test and also helped Australia to level the series. His dismissals included the likes of Jack Rudolph, Kallis, and AB de Villers. The young fast bowler was adjudged the 'Man of the match' for his splendid bowling and match-winning contribution.

In addition to his bowling, he also possesses decent batting skills. He is presently ranked 10th in the ICC World Test ranking of All-rounders.

#4 Daniel Vettori (18y 46d)

Daniel Vettori made his debut in 1996

Daniel Vettori is a legend of New Zealand cricket and has many records to his name. He is the youngest player ever to have represented New Zealand in the Test cricket. He made his Test debut at the tender age of 18 against England in 1996-97 series.

While playing against Sri Lanka in the second Test of the 1997 series at Hamilton, the curly-haired spinner picked up five wickets for 84 runs in the second innings. In total, he picked nine wickets in the game and New Zealand won the game by 120 runs. He was adjudged Man of the match for his superlative performance.

With 362 wickets to his name, Vettori is the nation's 2nd leading wicket-taker in Tests, second only to the legendary Sir Richard Hadlee. Being an underrated batsman, Vettori finished as one of the world's best all-rounders.

#3 Enamul Haque Junior (18y 32d)

Enamul Haque Jnr's magic lasted too little in the international arena

Enamul Haque Jr grabbed headlines when he shell-shocked the touring English batsmen while playing for the Bangladesh President's XI in 2003-04. The English team lost four players for no run, out of which Haque dismissed three.

He emerged a hero in Bangladesh's first ever win in Test cricket, picking up 6 wickets for 45 runs against Zimbabwe in the first Test of the series at Chittagong.

His performance propelled Bangladesh to win the match by 226 runs and was deservedly awarded the 'Man of the Match'. In doing so Haque became the third youngest bowler to scalp five wickets in a Test inning.

He picked 12 wickets in the next Test match at Dhaka and helped Bangladesh seal their first Test series victory. In total, he picked 18 wickets in the series against Zimbabwe but due to his lacklustre performances, he was axed from the national side.

However, he made brief stints in the national team. In 2011, he became the first Bangladeshi bowler to take 300 first-class wickets.

#2 Mohammad Amir (17y 257d)

Mohammad Amir was a great talent before match-fixing halted his career

Pakistan's left-arm fast bowler, Mohammad Amir made his debut at the age of 17 and mesmerized the world with his superb bowling skills. He made his first international appearance against Sri Lanka in 2009 and was touted as having the potential of becoming the leading fast bowler of the world.

Amir was a child prodigy and the world had opulent expectations from him. While playing the boxing day Test match against Australia at Melbourne, he picked 5 for 79 in the second innings but couldn't help his side to save the match, slumping to a 170-run defeat.

In 2011, Amir was suspended from the professional cricket after he was found guilty in fixing charges and suffered a loss of five years as a ban from ICC. A fledging career looked to have been cut short.

Amir was tipped by Wasim Akram as the future prospect for Pakistan. He was once proclaimed to be 'more clever than Akram' by Ramiz Raza. However, he made a comeback in the international cricket in 2016 against New Zealand and has played decently since.

#1 Nasim-ul-Ghani (16y 303d)

Nasim-Ul-Ghani could have got a lot more out of his career

Nasim-ul-Ghani was primarily a left-arm spinner but he could also ball medium pace. When Pakistan was touring West Indies in 1958, he picked 5 wickets for 116 runs in the 4th Test at Georgetown. Despite his efforts, West Indies emerged victorious by 8 wickets.

He had made his debut in the same series against West Indies at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. He represented Pakistan in just 29 Test matches from 1958-1973 due to his inconsistent performances. In 29 matches, he picked 52 wickets with best figures of 6/67. He appeared in a solitary ODI against New Zealand in 1973.

Ghani, who was at the time the youngest Test debutant, turned out to be quite decent with the bat as he struck a century against England in 1962 after coming on as a night watchman.