Still in his early years, Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah has impressed one and all with his impressive exploits across formats.
Naseem has represented Pakistan in 15 Tests, 5 ODIs and 19 T20Is, claiming a total of 75 wickets. In particular, he has left his mark in white-ball cricket, picking 18 wickets at an average of 12.56 in the 50-over format and taking 15 scalps in the shortest format at an economy rate of 7.31.
On his T20I debut against arch-rivals India during the Asia Cup in Dubai last year, Naseem returned with stunning figures of 2/27 in his four-over spell. KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav were his victims and he almost got the prized scalp of Virat Kohli if not for a dropped catch from Fakhar Zaman at the second slip.
Speaking to ARY News, Naseem Shah recently recalled his T20I debut against India and said: “Debut that too against India. It was so loud that I was unable to hear what Babar bhai was telling me in my ears.”
“I bowled one in-swinger to Virat Kohli, then an outswinger, the outside edge was dropped. If that catch would have taken my debut would have been so memorable,” he added.
The 20-year-old also said that not only the Indians but batters across the world struggle against the left-arm pacers because of inswing.
“Left-arm pacers with good inswing will trouble any batsmen of the world. India have struggled against the likes of Wahab (Riaz), Junaid (Khan), (Mohammad) Amir and Shaheen (Afridi). Not only the Indians, but batsmen from other countries also had issues against the left-arm quick,” he remarked.
Naseem is keen to play the 50-over World Cup in India and his aim is to lift the coveted trophy for Pakistan.
“My only aim is to play cricket in India. I will go there for cricket, and I don’t have any other aim. I just want Pakistan to win the World Cup,” he said.
Naseem Shah also revisited his Test debut against Australia at the Gabba, saying that the hype around him made him a bit anxious.
“There was hype around me before my debut. Hype is a double-edged sword; if things go according to your plan, then it is fine; otherwise, it can cost you a lot.
“For someone like me, who has never watched an International game and was making his debut. The pressure was different,” he said.