Youngest Test cricket debutants

Playing in Test matches for your nation is one of the most prestigious privileges for a cricketer. Test cricket might be boring and mundane for a new watcher, but it is the biggest stage for a young cricketer; the sternest test for his talent and hard work.

There are many cricketers who have shined in the shorter forms of the game but have struggled in Tests. Yuvraj Singh, for example, has played almost 300 ODIs but has still not cemented a place in the Indian Test team.

Here we take a look at five of the youngest debutants in Test cricket.

#1 Hasan Raza

Hasan Raza in action during a domestic tournament

The Pakistani batsman came into the scene as a young prodigy at a tender age of 14 years and 227 days when he played his first Test match against Zimbabwe in October 1996. There have been many controversies over his age, sparking investigations over the legitimacy of his claims.

He has been a prolific scorer in the domestic circuit but is being overlooked by selectors. His career deteriorated further after he played in the Indian Cricket League, where he was the top scorer in the first season.

#2 Mushtaq Mohammad

Mustaq Mohammad was the holder of this record for almost four decades. He had made his debut at the age of 15 years and 124 days against West Indies in March 1959.

A right hand batsman who can bowl leg spin, he is among the best all-rounders Pakistan has produced. He was the first and to date only Pakistani to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test match twice.

#3 Aaqib Javed

Aaqib Javed is another one of Pakistani cricketers in this list, but the issue with them is that the age details can never be trusted.

Officially, Javed made his debut against New Zealand at the age of 16 years and 189 days, in 1988. He was a right-handed medium pace bowler with the ability to swing the ball both ways. He played 22 Tests and 163 One Day Internationals for Pakistan between 1988 and 1998.

#4 Sachin Tendulkar

The name that one billion hearts beat for, Sachin Tendulkar is at the fourth spot in this list. He made his debut against Pakistan in 1989 at the age of 16 years and 205 days. From then on there was no looking back for this legend.

He went on to play 200 Tests and 463 ODIs in a career that spanned about two and a half decades. In those 25 years he broke almost all the batting records that could have been broken.

#5 Aftab Baloch

At the age of 16 years and 221 days Aftab Baloch made his debut against New Zealand in 1969. He has only played two Tests for Pakistan.

Having scored 428 runs in a Test match for Sind against Baluchistan in the 1973-74 season, he is best remembered for being a member of the 400 club.