Welsh Fire bowler Naseem Shah withdraws from The Hundred following Pakistan call-up

The 19-year-old has been selected for Pakistan's upcoming ODI series against the Netherlands and the Asia Cup in the UAE

Elizabeth Botcherby | 04/08/2022 at 12:03

Welsh Fire bowler Naseem Shah has withdrawn from The Hundred after receiving a call-up to Pakistan's white-ball squad.

The 19-year-old has been selected for Pakistan's three-match ODI series against the Netherlands, which is scheduled to run from August 16-21 in Amsterdam.

He has also been included in Pakistan's 15-strong squad for the Asia Cup, which will be held in the UAE from August 27 to September 11.

The pacer is yet to be capped by Pakistan in white-ball cricket but has featured in 13 Test matches since making his debut in November 2019, taking 33 wickets at 36.30.

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^{Naseem Shah has played Test cricket for Pakistan but is yet to play a white-ball international [Ishara S Kodikar/Getty Images]}

Shah only has four List A appearances to his name but has picked up 44 wickets in 45 matches and has a career economy of 8.17.

Ahead of The Hundred, he represented Gloucestershire in county cricket before returning home for personal reasons. He did not make a single appearance for Welsh Fire.

Shah's absence is a blow for Welsh Fire, whose pace attack is light on star quality, and places considerable pressure on the likes of David Payne, Jake Ball and George Scrimshaw. They are yet to confirm a replacement signing.

Welsh Fire began their campaign with a crushing nine-wicket defeat against defending champions Southern Brave.