The youngest player to play an One Day International match was Hasan Raja of Pakistan, who was only 14 year and 233 days old on his debut. Recently, Nitish Kumar of Canada came close to breaking that 15 year old record but he was an year older.
Here’s a list of youngest cricketer to make their ODI debut:
- 14 year & 233 day = Hasan Raja of Pakistan, vs Zimbabwe, Oct 1996.
- 15 year & 273 day = Nitish Kumar of Canada, vs Afghanistan, Feb 2010.
- 16 year & 127 day = Aaqib Javed of Pakistan, vs West Indies, Dec 1988.
- 16 year & 215 day = Shahid Afridi of Pakistan, vs Kenya, Oct 1996.
- 16 year & 229 day = Ramveer Rai of United Arab Emirates, vs Sri Lanka, Jul 2004.
- 16 year & 238 day = Sachin Tendulkar of India, vs Pakistan, Dec 1989.
- 16 year & 278 day = Mohammed Ashraful of Bangladesh, vs Zimbabwe, Apr 2001.
- 16 year & 287 day = Talha Jubair of Bangladesh, vs New Zealand, Sep 2002.
- 16 year & 294 day = Nadeem Ahmed of Hong Kong, vs Pakistan, Jul 2004.
The List includes the players like Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi who made an impact in the cricket who’s introduction is not needed. Sachin Tendulkar broke, create and achieved all types of possible records in this format. Whereas, Shahid Afridi a formidable all-rounder in the ODI Cricket history and the one of those few all-rounders in the present generation who can change the match course with both bat and bowl.
Hasan Raja of Pakistan stands as the youngest ODI debutant. His career didn’t last long tough. He played 16 ODIs before ousted from team where he scored 242 @ just 18.61 and maintained low strike rate of 50 in limited overs caused his exclusion from the squad.
Another notable name in the list is of Mohammad Ashraful, Bangladesh’s popular Cricketer. He created many sensations with the bat and helped Bangladesh to create upset to few big team. He holds many records with bat for Bangladesh, but after been agreed to fixing allegations in Bangladesh Premier League, ended career of one of the finest player of the country.
Pakistan’s another young sensation was Aaqib Javed who’s career due to fixing allegations during 1999. He was one of the finest fast bowlers produced in Pakistan during 1990s. His is one of the rare bowlers who picked 7 wickets in an ODI including a Hattrick in the match against arch rival India in Wills Final in 1991.
Friendship with Injuries made Bangladesh lose a talented young pacer who came in to the team just before 2003 World Cup. He impressed with his bowling against stronger sides. But his problem of getting injuries quite often made his lose his ability and soon from team too.
The list contains three players from associate countries too. Nitish Kumar, Canada’s promising young batsman was the youngest player to feature in World Cup and 2nd youngest debutant in ODIs. Tough he haven’t performed greatly he has been continued in the team due to lack of Talent. He had featured in three U-19 World Cups also, including the recently concluded U-19 Cricket World Cup 2014.
Other players were Ramveer Rai of UAE and Nadeem Ahmed of Hong Kong. Both made their respective debuts during Asia Cup, 2004. Nadeem Ahmed have made some appearances since then, but Ramveer Rai haven’t played anything much in this period including List A.
