Test cricket is rated by many as the best format of the sport because this form of the game tests every skill and other qualities of the cricketers as well. To succeed in the longest format of the game, a player not only needs to have proper technique and skill but also qualities like patience, character and ability to never give up because anything is possible from any position.
It is quite important to have first-class cricket experience before playing red-ball cricket at the international level. The reason behind it is that first-class cricket improves the stamina level of cricketers. However, since the year 2000, the following six players made their Test debut before playing any first-class cricket.
1. Mashrafe Mortaza made Test debut in 2001
Mashrafe Mortaza is one of the top Bangladesh cricketers of all time. The pace-bowling all-rounder never played first-class cricket and straightaway debuted for Bangladesh in 2001.
2. Yasir Ali made Test debut in 2003
Pakistan picked Yasir Ali in their squad for a series against Bangladesh before he played first-class matches. It was his only game, where he took two wickets.
3. Nazmul Hossain made Test debut in 2004
One more Bangladesh cricketer to feature on this list is Nazmul Hossain. Without any first-class experience, the right-arm medium-fast bowler represented Bangladesh in a game against India in 2004.
4. Mujeeb ur Rahman
Another player who made his first-class debut in an international match against India was Mujeeb ur Rahman. The Afghanistan spinner had no experience of red-ball cricket.
5. Benjamin White
Two cricketers made their debut in the longest format of the game at the international level in 2023 without playing first-class matches. One of them is Ireland’s Benjamin White.
6. Matthew Humphreys
The second player to achieve this feat in 2023 is Matthew Humphreys. He is a left-arm spinner of Ireland, and he made his debut against Sri Lanka.
