KARACHI: Young fast bowler Nasim Shah will not be returning home from Australia after his mother passed away late on Monday. The 16-year-old has decided to stay with the national squad Down Under after discussions with his family, a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman told Dawn on Tuesday.

“Nasim was to miss his mother’s funeral even if he left for Pakistan at the earliest. Therefore, after consultation with his family, he has decided to stay back,” the PCB spokesman said.

Nasim, who is in the playing XI for Pakistan’s ongoing tour match against Australia A in Perth, will continue training and is in contention for selection in the first Test which is set to be played from Nov 21 in Brisbane.

The right-arm pacer did not get a chance to bat on the first day of the tour match and was absent from the field on the second day as the Pakistan side wore black armbands to observe mourning of Nasim’s mother’s demise.

The teenager was selected in the Pakistan side due to his ability to deliver express pace and displaying top form in the domestic season.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2019