Pakistan seamer Naseem Shah opened up about his team’s loss to India in the recent T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan failed to chase 119 runs in New York despite being 80/3 at one stage and Mohammad Rizwan at the crease.

India had batted first after losing the toss and struggled their way to 119 runs with Rishabh Pant top-scoring with 42 and Akshar Patel making 20 runs. Naseem Shah took three wickets for Pakistan.

In response, Pakistan got a good start despite losing Babar Azam, Usman Khan and Fakhar Zaman for 13 runs each. Pakistan need 40 runs off the last 36 balls with seven wickets in hand and Rizwan at the crease.

But then Jasprit Bumrah did his magic with the ball, dismissing Rizwan for 31 as earlier he had scalped Babar Azam. Bumrah then accounted for the dangerous Iftikhar Ahmed for 5 runs as Pakistan could only manage 113/7 in 20 overs. Naseem Shah played a cameo of 10* narrowing the deficit of defeat for Pakistan team in the final over.

Naseem opened up on the emotions after that match and said many things flashed in front of him after the defeat.

"There are a lot of emotions attached with such matches. I did not expect [the result to turn out how it did]. There are some things that you keep to yourself. A lot had pent-up and a lot of things flashed in front of me at that point... There have been very few moments in life when I have felt the need to have someone who can talk positively to me," Naseem said on Cricbuzz.

The team was subjected to intense scrutiny after that game - one that essentially knocked them out of the tournament. Naseem Shah said that he felt that he could not take the criticism anymore.

"Though I was not being targeted by the fans or the media, one cannot be satisfied and say I did my bit after your team loses. I am a person who wants to win. I get disappointed even when I lose while playing at home or in my street. I play to win and the World Cup exit pained me a lot," he added.

"People come up to me in restaurants and ask me why we lost. Even my relatives have asked about it. I understand their sentiments are driven by social media and, as a player, all I can do is listen to them," he further added.

Naseem, on the other hand, admitted that the tough losses and criticism inspired him to improve and make a return.

"There are times when you feel that you cannot put up with it anymore. But, it also burns a desire for a comeback. People had many questions to ask and there was a lot of frustration in them, which is understandable. Now, we have an opportunity to win the hearts again by playing good cricket," he stated.

The young pace sensation revealed that his father is also fighting some health battles and how he fears about his health when a result doesn't go in Pakistan's favour in a big match.

"At times, all you are searching for are small moments of happiness. My father is going through some health issues. There was a time when he did not know anything about cricket, but now he watches every ball and gets distressed when we lose. So, before every big game, I ring my brothers to make sure that our father doesn't watch it. I fear that it may lead to some bigger health complications. It [the pressure] is like I am playing two matches at once," he said.

Pakistan will play 2 Test matches against Bangladesh. The first Test begins on August 21.

(Cricbuzz inputs)