Meet Ubaid Shah, Naseem Shah’s Younger Brother, Making His Pakistan Debut Vs West Indies

Ubaid Shah makes debut [Source: x]

Ubaid Shah, the youngest of the Shah brothers, has finally made his international debut for Pakistan. The 20-year-old was included in Pakistan playing XI for the series-deciding second away Test against the West Indies team in Port of Spain on Sunday, August 2. 

The speedster was one of the four changes made by the Pakistan team management before the decider, and became one of Pakistan’s two debutants in the match. Here, we take a detailed look at Ubaid’s journey and how he came to be selected in the national line-up at an age of just 20 years and 178 days. 

Who is Ubaid Shah?

Born in the Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa back in February 2006, Ubaid Shah graduated from Pakistan’s domestic cricket and Under-19 national side, and the speedster has so far represented three different franchises in the PSL. 

Also Read- Babar Azam Joins Imran Khan In Historic Captaincy Feat During PAK vs WI 2nd Test

He was part of the Pakistan team that reached the semifinal of the 2024 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, picking up 18 wickets in just six innings of the tournament at an impressive bowling average of 12.38.

Overall, Ubaid finished as the second joint highest wicket-taker, and Pakistan’s most successful bowler of the competition. 

Is Ubaid Shah related to Naseem Shah?

Ubaid Shah, brother of Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah, is the youngest of the three Shah brothers. With Hunain Shah being the other brother, Ubaid has now become the second of the Shah brothers to play international cricket for Pakistan. 

Remarkably, all three Shah brothers are right-arm fast bowlers.

Before breaking out in the Pakistan national team, young Ubaid also turned up for the ‘Men in Green’ during their four-day tour match against West Indies Select XI in Port of Spain a couple of weeks ago. The speedster bowled just three overs in the game. 

Interestingly, the cricketer holds a splendid record with the ball in first-class matches. Having played for teams like Lahore Region Whites and Ghani Glass in Pakistan’s premier red-ball tournaments like Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and President's Trophy Grade-I, the right-arm quick has picked up 72 wickets in just 32 innings at an impressive average of 25.20. 

Moreover, Ubaid's first-class average of 25.20 is even better than that of his eldest brother and Pakistan international, Naseem Shah (27.19).

Ubaid Shah replaces Mohammad Abbas in decider

The Pakistan team management handed Ubaid Shah his maiden Test cap at an expense of in-form fast bowler Mohammad Abbas. It is worth noting that Abbas picked up eight West Indies wickets in the first Test last week, which included a sizzling five-fer. 

Trailing 0-1 in the two-match series, Pakistan were invited to field first after West Indies won the toss. Debutant Ubaid started off proceedings alongside new ball partner Mohammad Ali. 

Also Read- India Players Who Will Eye Test Selection Through Duleep Trophy 2026