Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah shared how his and the side’s performances have affected his father’s health recently. However, the pace bowler has enjoyed a rapid rise in the cricketing world since his Pakistan debut in 2019. And, Naseem became the youngest pace bowler to bag a five-wicket haul in Tests and claimed a hat-trick at just 16 against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, respectively as well.
In an interview with Cricbuzz, Naseem Shah said, “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. There is a lot going on in a cricketer’s life behind the scenes about which people are not aware. At times, all you are searching for are small moments of happiness.”
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However, Naseem Shah has a stellar number across formats in his brief international career, with 107 wickets and three five-wicket hauls in 59 games as well. He will play next when Pakistan take on Bangladesh in a two-match Test series at home, starting in Rawalpindi on August 21. He also mentioned how fans and even relatives constantly ask him about Pakistan’s heartbreaking defeat to India in the recent T20
World Cup in the West Indies and the USA as well.
“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 the social media and, as a player, all I can do is listen to them,” said Naseem Shah. “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.”
