Is it high time to name Naseem Shah as Pakistan's next white ball captain?

[The Bald Eagle]

According to cricketer, Basit Ali Rizwan may be made the new white ball captain but the question remain would he be different than Babar or just an extension of his era through Rizwan as proxy. Although Rizwan is a good option but for a side free from any groupings we need a character like Naseem.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

It's too early for Naseem to represent Pakistan as a captain.

its never too early... remember when dhoni given the captaincy of Indian team.

Naseem has already played too many games for Pakistan.. so why not try him against small teams and assess his capabilities.

 

[Rana]

One of the funniest thread titles ever

 

[Usman Chadda]

Naseem Shah needs to perform at a decent level first before even thinking of getting anywhere near captaincy. His fitness issues have been disappointing, while he has shown literally no improvement in skill level since his debut.

 

[Rana]

I think Naseem Shah would be a great captain for Thailand or Peshawar Zalmi

 

[cricfan432]

I remember how we were crying at his injury before 2023 wc like we've lost prime waqar younis. It'd have made no difference to our wc campaign had he been there. Pitches were flat and naseem is not much of a bowler anyways.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

A player who doesn't work on getting in the position to offer his best to his team shouldn't be in conversation for captaincy. Same goes with Shaheen.

 

[shamaan]

Hopefully Hesson works on Naseem fitness !

 

[Sachin fan]

One of the funniest thread titles ever

I remember how we were crying at his injury before 2023 wc like we've lost prime waqar younis. It'd have made no difference to our wc campaign had he been there. Pitches were flat and naseem is not much of a bowler anyways.

The hype around this 35+ averaging guy has been insane. I have never ever seen any player fool so many fans with so medicore performances.

I mean Afridi averages 27 in tests, 22 in t20s and 24 in ODIs.

Meanwhile Naseem averages 35 in both tests and t20s. He averages 39 in ODIs since 2024.

And to think once upon a time Pakistani fans used to make fun of our manoj Prabhakars and Venkatesh Prasad who have better figures than Naseem.

 

[Sachin fan]

Hopefully Hesson works on Naseem fitness !

Yes, he has been only averaging 35 in bowling, among the worst stats for bowlers who have played 20 matches or more in tests.


Maybe he can aim to average 40+? Hesson should definitely be focusing on a bowler with this potential instead of other bowlers who average below 25.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Naseem should be dropped instead of hyping him to be made captain. On the basis of current form, he is undeserving of being in the squad, let alone being captain of any franchise even.

 

[mominsaigol]

The hype around this 35+ averaging guy has been insane. I have never ever seen any player fool so many fans with so medicore performances.

I mean Afridi averages 27 in tests, 22 in t20s and 24 in ODIs.

Meanwhile Naseem averages 35 in both tests and t20s. He averages 39 in ODIs since 2024.

And to think once upon a time Pakistani fans used to make fun of our manoj Prabhakars and Venkatesh Prasad who have better figures than Naseem.

You don't get it because you havent been following history.

Problem with Pakistan fans is that they think that because someone use to perform consistently in the past, it means they are entitled to keep that position forever regardless of current form.

Its why people still want babar in the team because they reminisce about his past 2019 NZ innings.

Naseem Shah before the Asia cup 2023 game took atleast 1 wicket every game he played, these are phenomenal numbers as it means that hes a genuine wicket taker.

Bare minimum he use to take anywhere from 1 to 5 wickets per game which is phenomenal for any bowler. This too when he played against top tier teams and featured in 2 t20 world cups.

However after asia cup 2023 where india bashed him into oblivion, not only was this the first game he went wicketless in, but it was also the start of a comical downfall.

Currently naseem gets bashed into oblivion and hes a crap bowler. But the Ba/Riz disease is trying to rewrite history as usual

 

[shamaan]

Yes, he has been only averaging 35 in bowling, among the worst stats for bowlers who have played 20 matches or more in tests.


Maybe he can aim to average 40+? Hesson should definitely be focusing on a bowler with this potential instead of other bowlers who average below 25.

His fitness is supbar which may be hampering his performance with the ball.

 

[Rana]

How’s the legend of Naseem coming along? Last I saw he was getting carted around the park by Rahkeem Cornwall in CPL

 

[Rana]

Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans might be looking for a new captain. Might be a good chance for him to take over

 

[mominsaigol]

How’s the legend of Naseem coming along? Last I saw he was getting carted around the park by Rahkeem Cornwall in CPL

Tbf I will acknowledge one thing which I am at fault for bro.

Abdullah, Naseem I did back at one point. This was before I actually saw them play btw. .

Idk i guess i was hopeful, but am willing to take responsibility for stating any nonsense comments about these 2 in the past but I'm sure certain posters will eventually take ss and use it against me lol.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Too early to lead in the format I guess?

 

[Rana]

Too early to lead in the format I guess?

I think just slightly too early

 

[Varun]

Wait this guy a captain?

Too young.

 

[RyanRyan10]

I blame Babar & Rizwan for his downfall

 

[Misia]

I personally would refer to the Ian Pont thread as to my reason as to why not!

 

[Savak]

I blame Babar & Rizwan for his downfall

Lol why? Is Nasim a two year old bacha who can't take responsibility for his own fitness, performance?

 

[shamaan]

Are posters even considering this lol.

 

[Sachin fan]

I blame Babar & Rizwan for his downfall

Babar and Rizwan didn't hype him as a 16 year old wonder.

 

[Rana]

Babar and Rizwan didn't hype him as a 16 year old wonder.

They didn’t but what they did do is mess with his head to make him feel he is some sort of Dale Steyn

The whole Naseem to IU saga was a real eye opener of how the influential in Pakistan messed with this guy’s head.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Naseem is too young, but with that being said, he should be any means be a captain contender.

He doesn't have the mental fortitude nor the intelligence to captain. He doesn't currently warrant a position in the squad.

 

[mango_bite77]

Captain? does he deserve a place in team first?

 

[RyanRyan10]

Lol why? Is Nasim a two year old bacha who can't take responsibility for his own fitness, performance?

Babar and Rizwan didn't hype him as a 16 year old wonder.

No but their fault was constantly playing him in matches against weak teams and letting him participate in meaningless leagues like the LPL to boost their brand. He was showing some potential, particularly in ODIs, but he had an injury and has never been the same since. They also messed with his head. He came from a humble background and needed guidance and mentorship, but his seniors failed to provide that. Babar started saying things like he would pick Naseem over Bumrah. Naseem needed guidance but his seniors didn't provide him.

 

[Savak]

No but their fault was constantly playing him in matches against weak teams and letting him participate in meaningless leagues like the LPL to boost their brand. He was showing some potential, particularly in ODIs, but he had an injury and has never been the same since. They also messed with his head. He came from a humble background and needed guidance and mentorship, but his seniors failed to provide that. Babar started saying things like he would pick Naseem over Bumrah. Naseem needed guidance but his seniors didn't provide him.

Don't by this argument. At the end of the day your work ethic, training, fitness, nutrition, skill development and off field discipline is in your hands. Naseem has made enough money from the game and has access to the top most facilities to be the best possible cricketer he can be. He can't blame anyone else for his lack of performances.

 

[Sachin fan]

No but their fault was constantly playing him in matches against weak teams and letting him participate in meaningless leagues like the LPL to boost their brand. He was showing some potential, particularly in ODIs, but he had an injury and has never been the same since. They also messed with his head. He came from a humble background and needed guidance and mentorship, but his seniors failed to provide that. Babar started saying things like he would pick Naseem over Bumrah. Naseem needed guidance but his seniors didn't provide him.

Naseem was hyped up by you guys as the next boy wonder super star. If he was dropped or rested by Babar and Rizwan, Pak fans and media and sponsors would have created a huge scene and they would be blamed for trying to sabotage his career.

Not a huge fan of Rizwan or Babar's captaincy but this is - "damned if you do, damned if you don't."

Look at how much Pak fans attack Bumrah for being rested.


Also I remember in the thread where Babar said he would pick Naseem over Bumrah, all Pak fans were praising Babar for saying so. Now suddenly it's wrong?

It's the fault of Pak fans as well for hyping him so much. You will see the contrast with how india treats someone like Suryavanshi.

 

[sweep_shot]

Naseem's position in the team is not guaranteed as he has lost his form.

I think Agha should be the LOI captain (both ODI and T20). Alternatively, Saim can be made the ODI captain. South Africa did that with Graeme Smith when he was young.

 

[BouncerGuy]

LOL at Naseem Shah being a captain... He needs to perform himself first and be regular on merit.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Naseem was hyped up by you guys as the next boy wonder super star. If he was dropped or rested by Babar and Rizwan, Pak fans and media and sponsors would have created a huge scene and they would be blamed for trying to sabotage his career.

Not a huge fan of Rizwan or Babar's captaincy but this is - "damned if you do, damned if you don't."

Look at how much Pak fans attack Bumrah for being rested.


Also I remember in the thread where Babar said he would pick Naseem over Bumrah, all Pak fans were praising Babar for saying so. Now suddenly it's wrong?

It's the fault of Pak fans as well for hyping him so much. You will see the contrast with how india treats someone like Suryavanshi.

I didn’t hype him up. You need to understand that Naseem, like most Pakistani cricketers, didn’t receive the best education, so naturally he lacked a deeper understanding of things. He had the potential and needed proper guidance but his seniors were too busy building their own brands. Between the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup, the majority of Pakistan fans convinced themselves this team was a champion side. They overlooked the decline in Tests and ignored the fact that Pakistan’s 2022 T20 World Cup finalist run was built more on luck than playing good cricket (and even then, they couldn’t win the title). Even reaching the Asia Cup final was treated like a major achievement. Performances against depleted sides was hyped up. During this period, Babar and Rizwan controlled everything. They padded their records against minnows and depleted teams, played in minor leagues, and dragged youngsters along as PCB under Ramiz Raja was obsessed with building the brand of Pakistan Cricket.


Naseem, being young and naive, got carried away. Success went to his head. Of course, he himself shares some of the blame but Babar and Rizwan wasted every bright potential Pakistan had then.

And BTW, I and m not a Pakistan fan, so stop assuming things about me. Just reply to what I have actually written. If the majority of Pakistani fans were hyping him up, it was still the responsibility of the senior players to guide him which they failed to do. Even today, most fans want Babar and Rizwan back, but at least the PCB is making the tough calls.

 

[BouncerGuy]

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