‘It’s Like I Am Playing Two Matches At Once’, Pakistan Pacer Naseem Shah Reflects On Off-Field Cricketing Battles

New Delhi: Few stories in cricket are as beguiling as that of Naseem Shah, the young fast bowler from Pakistan who rose from obscurity to quickly become the cornerstone of his country’s pace attack. Shah’s career has already been embellished at 21 years of age with a series of remarkable achievements. He made his international debut as a teenager, taking wickets with an ease that belied the nerves of a seasoned professional. Only in his third and fourth Test matches, Shah became the youngest fast bowler to claim a five-wicket haul and then a hat-trick.

Shah has picked up 51 wickets in 17 Test matches, almost five years into his international career, the testament his talent and hard work. His journey has come with its ups and downs, though. Though Shah showed his intense performances on the field, his personal and professional life was severely strained. His mother passed away right before he made his debut, after which he suffered some serious injuries that forced him to miss considerable periods from both 2021 and 2023.

Yet all these tribulations do not seem to worry Shah. His calm and composed nature does not let his emotions show through his face, be it any victory or defeat. But after the defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India by a narrow margin during a recent T20 World Cup match, visible were the cracks on Shah’s exterior. He cracked under the pressure and disappointment, breaking down in front of a full stadium and millions of viewers, revealing how much of an emotional toll it took to carry the expectations of an entire nation.

“There is a lot going on in a cricketer’s life behind the scenes about which people are not aware,” Shah shared in a candid interview with Cricbuzz. He spoke of the immense pressure he feels, not just from the fans and media, but from his family, particularly his father, whose health has become a source of concern. “It’s like I am playing two matches at once,” he added, highlighting the emotional burden he carries.

As Pakistan prepares for a packed home season, starting with a Test series against Bangladesh, Shah is once again at the forefront. Despite the physical and mental demands of Test cricket, especially in the sweltering heat of August, Shah is determined to excel. His preparation, he says, is simple yet rigorous: increasing his bowling load and staying disciplined on the field.

“It is called ‘Test’ because it tests you physically and mentally,” Shah noted, emphasizing the need for consistency and patience in the longer format. His approach to bowling is strategic, focusing on maintaining pressure and forcing mistakes from the batsmen, rather than just hunting for wickets.

Despite his young age, Shah has become a reliable figure in Pakistan’s pace attack, known for his ability to swing the new ball and reverse the old. His disciplined bowling has made him a crucial player in both Test and limited-overs cricket, filling the gap left by senior bowlers like Shaheen Afridi during times of injury.

As Pakistan looks to build on its rich legacy of fast bowling, Shah is ready to lead the charge. His passion for the game, coupled with his ability to handle pressure, makes him a vital asset for the team. “This is a positive pressure,” Shah said about the expectations placed on him. “I enjoy taking the responsibility upon myself to deliver.”

With a busy season ahead, including matches against top teams like England, Australia, and South Africa, Shah’s role will be more crucial than ever. As he continues to hone his skills and push the limits of his endurance, Naseem Shah is poised to become one of the defining figures in Pakistan’s cricketing history.