Pakistan speedster eyes bigger things after injury comeback
Naseem Shah returned to action for Pakistan in the team's 2-1 series T20I victory against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan began their much-anticipated home international cricket season with a 2-1 T20I series victory against Sri Lanka, and fast bowler Naseem Shah, returning to action for Pakistan after seven months had his role to play in the win. The pacer registered figures of 3/36 in his four overs in the first T20I.
In the second T20I,he didn't manage a wicket but his two overs in the powerplay yielded nine runs, a disciplined effort that contained Sri Lanka in initial stages of the innings.
Naseem spoke about his approach with PCB Digital.
“You have to toy with a batter’s mindset in modern-day white-ball cricket given the nature of surfaces around the world and the focus on entertainment (in terms of batting friendly wickets),” Naseem said when asked how a bowler can reap success in the fast-paced modern-day cricket.
“One ought to become more skillful and developed as a bowler in these times,” he added.
Naseem is also part of Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka.
With the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led outfit set to kickstart their preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa, he would certainly be eager to impress in the One-Day format and finally make it to his maiden ICC Cricket World Cup, where Pakistan’s campaign begins on 8 October 2027 against Afghanistan.
Naseem has 60 wickets in 34 ODIs at an average of 25.91 and a strike rate of 28.3. They include two five-wicket hauls.
“I feel I’m yet to play my peak cricket,” he affirmed, looking ahead.
“Whatever cricket I’ve played so far, especially Test cricket, I think I lacked a few things.
“My simple goal is to perform so much that there is no need to talk out loud about my goals or performances.
“When there are fewer injuries, and you are bowling with good rhythm, everything falls into place itself.”
Naseem’s potential was clear when he became the youngest bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket, at the age of 16, as he ran through Bangladesh’s batting.
Despite a bright start at a young age, the 23-year-old is no stranger to setbacks, having spent time on the sidelines due to injuries in his seven-year career.
“You go back to zero whenever you are injured and sometimes it doesn’t even allow you to go for a run, let alone going through the motions of the game,” Naseem said.
“The rehabilitation programme then becomes important. It is also critical how well you understand your body during those times. Being surrounded by a good medical team also helps,” he added.
Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the first match of the ODI tri-series on Sunday before taking on England two days later.
The three teams will face each other twice before the top two sides advance to the final.
ODI tri-series schedule
18 October: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
20 October: Pakistan v England, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
22 October: Sri Lanka v England, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
25 October: Pakistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
27 October: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
29 October: Sri Lanka v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
31 October: Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore