One of the most successful left-arm spinners in first-class cricket, Shahbaz Nadeem has finally earned an Indian call-up after years of performing at the domestic level.
It’s hasn’t been an easy journey for the Ranchi Cricketer who has performed consistently in the domestic circuit only to be ignored for the biggest stage.
However, the luck has finally smiled on Nadeem, as he earned a national call-up ahead of the third test against South Africa, and, in fact, made his debut in the third and final test of the series.
Here’s a look at five astonishing facts about Shahbaz Nadeem that you might not aware of:
1. MADE FIRST-CLASS DEBUT EARLIER THAN VIRAT KOHLI AND ROHIT SHARMA
30-year old Shahbaz Nadeem made his first-class debut in 2004 which is the earliest among all the players in the current test playing XI.
Here’s a list of the first-class debuts of the India playing XI which is playing against South Africa in the third test:
First-Class Debuts:
Nadeem – 2004
Pujara – 2005
Ashwin – 2006
Kohli – 2006
Jadeja – 2006
Rohit – 2006
Rahane – 2007
Saha – 2007
Umesh – 2008
Shami – 2010
Mayank – 2013
2. BEST BOWLING FIGURES IN FIRST CLASS CRICKET: 8/10 AGAINST RAJASTHAN
The Ranchi cricketer has taken 424 wickets in First-Class Cricket. Of which, 81 wickets have come from first-class cricket at an average of under 30.
Shahbaz Nadeem also holds the record for best figures in List A cricket: 8 for 10 against Rajasthan in 2018-19.
3. A HUGE BELIEVER IN LUCK
Shahbaz Nadeem has always been a huge believer in luck. He has in fact said that in a lot of interviews as well as to his closed ones.
“I am a huge believer in luck factor and I think someday it will shine on me.” He told to Sandipan Banerjee, a sports journalist.
A month later, he was handed a national call-up and played his debut test against South Africa in the third Test of the three-match test series. After toiling for years, luck has finally smiled on the Ranchi cricketer.
4. SHAHBAZ NADEEM MADE HIS FIRST-CLASS DEBUT AT ONLY 15 YEARS OF AGE:
Ranchi Cricketer, Shahbaz Nadeem made his debut in first-class cricket at just 15 years of age earlier than veterans like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane.
He made his first-class debut against Kerala on 4th December 2004 at Jamshedpur. He picked up 2 wickets in the first innings and went wicketless in the second innings of the test match.
5. ELDER BROTHER ASSAD’S SACRIFICE, THE BIGGEST REASON BEHIND SHAHBAZ NADEEM’S TEST DEBUT
Very few know the fact that both Shahbaz and his brother Assad had played cricket at the domestic level.
However, Shahbaz’s father being a police officer after a certain period of time, allowed one of his sons to pursue cricket professionally further in their lives.
At this point, Assad who was already playing for Bihar Team stepped aside and let his brother chase his dreams.
Assad’s sacrifice has finally gained fruits as his brother Shahbaz Nadeem has been handed test debut in the ongoing series between India and South Africa.
