Pakistan's pace sensation Naseem Shah recently reflected on his T20I debut against India, also describing the experience of bowling to Indian superstar batter Virat Kohli as amazing.
Naseem made his T20I debut against India during the 2022 Asia Cup T20 in Dubai. Notably, he had dismissed KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav in the match that India won by 5 wickets.
However, the star speedster is currently recuperating from a shoulder injury that he sustained during the 2023 Asia Cup, which also forced him to miss the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
The 21-year-old is presently gearing up for his comeback in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024, where Shah will represent Islamabad United. Recalling his debut against India, Naseem said that his experience in Tests and ODIs helped him manage the situation well in the pressure game.
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Naseem Shah said on the Islamabad United Podcast: “I have good memories of my T20I debut against India. India versus Pakistan is the most important match when it comes to the crowds and intensity on the field and that was my debut match.”
He continued, “I was naturally a bit nervous since it was my debut. But the good thing for me was that I had played a lot of cricket before, I had played Tests and ODIs, which helped me. When Virat Kohli came in to bat, I thought he would go hard.
So, I bowled an in-swinger hoping that it might catch his pad but he let it go. The next delivery I bowled an out-swinger, caught the edge but yeah, the catch got dropped. But it was a good experience because when you make your debut against a big team and under so much pressure then you get a margin in other matches.”
Naseem signed off by saying on pressure the players face during of India-Pakistan matches, “I remember the match against India in Melbourne, I couldn't hear Babar's voice despite him standing next to me. That is how loud it was. The crowds focus on each and every ball. So, it's obvious that pressure would be there if there is so much focus on this game.”
