'Emotional moment': Tragic story behind 16-year-old's Test debut tears

Fans at the Gabba witnessed emotional scenes before the first Test of the Summer as 16-year-old Pakistan prodigy Naseem Shah was brought to tears when he was handed his debut cap.

Shah burst into tears receiving his Test cap from Pakistan legend Waqar Younis after enduring an emotional few weeks.

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The 16-year-old is mourning the death of his mother while in Australia, which adds another dimension to Naseem's tale.

Commentators and Australian greats Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee both praised the sensational young man.

“Mitchell Starc was a wicketkeeper at 16,” Gilchrist said during commentary.

“The young man lost his mother just over a week ago. He came out and bowled in the tour match two days later.

“What amazing scenes. An emotional time. Really exciting for Pakistan this group of young fast bowlers.”

Lee labelled the young gun a “young exciting prodigy”.

Shah praised ahead of debut

Earlier in the week, Pakistan great Wasim Akram he's ready for the big stage.

"He's been through a lot the last week and a half and I wish him all the luck," Akram said.

"In my opinion if somebody's got pace and first class wickets under his belt I think he's ready to go."

Naseem's story has wowed even his Australian rivals but it's nothing new in Pakistan given he would be among 12 countrymen to debut at a younger age than Ian Craig, who remains Australia's youngest Test debutant at 17 years and 239 days.