'I Don't Fear Him': Young Pakistan Bowler On Facing Virat Kohli

Earlier this year, Naseem Shah became the youngest bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket.

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Lahore: Pakistan cricket team's young paceman Naseem Shah praised Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli for being one of the best batsmen in recent times. Shah said he respects Kohli but doesn't fear him despite his remarkable batting skills.

"As for Virat Kohli, I respect him but don't fear him. It's always a challenge to bowl to the best, but that's where you have to raise your game. I look forward to playing against Virat Kohli and India whenever that chance comes," Naseem was quoted as saying by PakPassion.net.

"India versus Pakistan is always special and I have already been told that players can become heroes and villains in those matches.

"They are special matches as they happen so rarely and yes, I am looking forward to playing against India whenever that opportunity arises. I hope that I can bowl well against India when that chance comes by and won't let our fans down," he added.

Earlier this year, a stunning bowling effort from Naseem Shah helped Pakistan beat Bangladesh by an innings and 44 runs in the first Test of the two-match series on home turf.

Not only that, but the 16-year-old Shah also became the youngest bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket when he dismissed three Bangladesh batsmen off successive deliveries.

"The best thing about it was that it was in my home country and in front of my countrymen at Rawalpindi. I know Pakistan has been starved of international cricket for many years and in a way, I hope it was a special moment for fans who were at the ground," Naseem said.

"I wasn't too happy with the way I had bowled in the first innings in that Test match against Bangladesh, and I wanted to make amends for it in the second innings and that hat-trick definitely made me feel better.

"I just hope it's the first of many records I can break during my career, but above all, it meant that I had helped Pakistan towards victory," he added.