Naseem Shah the gem we don’t deserve

[Theo_14]

It would be absolutely brutal for us not to mention how fantastic Naseem was today.

21 runs conceded and took 3 ‘crucial’ wickets. Came out to bat and scored with ‘intent’ 10 - strike rate 250.00

Why was he fantastic today? He showed what others lack, and what we desperately require from other players in the side.

Passion, aggression, aura, winning mentality, emotions, intent, adaptability and fearless approach. He was one of the least experienced players out there in terms of playing in T20 leagues but he was playing as if it was a final with wealth of pain.

He did more with the bat in terms of intent than what the likes of Imad, Iftikhar, Rizwan, Usman and Shadab did collectively. Do you realise how sad that is?

The tears in the end just shows that this boy played with his heart. He played for the badge infront of his shirt and not for the name on his back. He’s fan like us, whereas other players in the side are playing for personal reasons.

It’s absolutely disheartening how his peers lack what he possesses, he’s a gem, a crown heel in our declining side.

 

[pakistani pride]

The others are there for sight seeing and eating. Pathetic team led by a coward.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

He is our best bowler.

Just doesn't always get the wickets to show for his efforts.

 

[ElRaja]

having met him, hes easily mentally a level above the rest, should eventually be our captain, but i think the politics of it all would destroy him.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

 

[jnaveen1980]

Exploited the conditions to the fullest.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Honestly, him and Amir were the only ones who seemed to want it from ball one

People might get annoyed at their antics but you need some Aag in your team.

 

[Energy]

Imad, Shadab and Iftikhar need to be lashed for their performance. Naseem should be gifted the whip.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

having met him, hes easily mentally a level above the rest, should eventually be our captain, but i think the politics of it all would destroy him.

He's quite witty, really quite a funny smart dude and you can see it in a few minutes of meeting him.

What made you think he was captaincy material though? Did he say something in particular?

 

[Savak]

Laugh or cry after the match, what difference does it make? Your team still ended up losing at the end of the day.

 

[ElRaja]

He's quite witty, really quite a funny smart dude and you can see it in a few minutes of meeting him.

What made you think he was captaincy material though? Did he say something in particular?

just how he remembered certain situations and the strategies behind what he was trying to do, combined with the fact that he speaks carefully, which is a rare trait for pakistanis, also he seems to not let too many people too close to him, again a positive trait for a potential captain, but i dont think he wants that, at least at this stage of his career.

haris in comparison is the kinda guy your parents would stop u from hanging out with as a kid, lol.

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Let him bowl one bad over and the whole PP will be asking for his head.

 

[Technics 1210]

Naseem Shah is our T20 MvP

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Naseem and Amir bowled beautifully. It's criminal how Shaheen went for 30 on this seamers paradise.

 

[Major]

I would never want Naseem to be the captain of the Pakistani team.

I have nothing against him, its just that the way he made his debut, where his biggest supporter (his mother), passed away and was not even able to witness his debut always made me feel sorry for this kid.

The Pakistani captaincy job is an unforgiving job no matter who you are and where you belong from. You dont get praised and only get criticized for it. Its the job that places you infront of the country's top decision makers, thus your hands will always be tied and will have to do the bidding of others to keep everyone happy and if things go south you are to be made the scape goat.

I wish for Naseem to have a good long career, make some good money, buy a house in the Urban areas of Pakistan and move all his sisters and brothers out of the villiage. Quietly bowl well for Pakistan, and play leagues and thats it.

I dont want this kid to suffer anymore as he has suffered enough. I hope he has a good support system that helps him with dealing with mental health issues.

 

[TheSultan]

Laugh or cry after the match, what difference does it make? Your team still ended up losing at the end of the day.

It’s not about crying or not - I really don’t give much credence to that sort of thing albeit it’s good to see he cares.

However, what he did was show up all the so called specialist batsmen that when it’s tough pitch you can try and find a way to get a boundary. He came in and first ball executed a semi paddle/scoop.

And his bowling was excellent too.

 

[JaDed]

Was amazing , Rohit consoling him, he knows Naseem gave it his all.

 

[JaDed]

Naseem and Amir are the only ones that have fire of Old PCT that I grew up watching.
Hassan Ali had that too but skillwise he is below both.

 

[rhony]

This lad can probably soak up pressure than almost every other Pak player. Gun bowler and a very decent hitter. His last over heroics especially against Afghans come to mind. Pak should send him up the order once in a while. A quick 15 when 40 runs were needed could have closed the game for Pak today

 

[SpiritOf1903]

He's an absolute superstar. Pakistan isn't worthy!.

 

[TheSultan]

Naseem and Amir are the only ones that have fire of Old PCT that I grew up watching.
Hassan Ali had that too but skillwise he is below both.

Very true

 

[Mamoon]

A gem who averages close to 40 vs the top sides in Test cricket.

Another overhyped player, nothing more.

 

[Professionalismandflair]

A gem who averages close to 40 vs the top sides in Test cricket.

Another overhyped player, nothing more.

He has time and importantly heart.

 

[Chip32]

First time I've watched him in a minute but he's definitely overweight atm. How that is possible when you're around the system in all 3 formats and in your early twenties is beyond me.

 

[mrtaim3]

A gem who averages close to 40 vs the top sides in Test cricket.

Another overhyped player, nothing more.

He has barely played any games. You are being too critical

 

[Kianig89]

Earned my respect again, the legend of Naseem Shah continues to grow the sole reason still following this team

 

[kumjsr]

Mentioned everything apart from skill.

 

[RidiculousMan]

He's a fighter. He'll have a long future for Pakistan. I wish him all the best.

 

[pillionrider]

Naseem and Amir are the only ones that have fire of Old PCT that I grew up watching.
Hassan Ali had that too but skillwise he is below both.

Yeah. Those teams always had some great players, but they also had some good/average players who punched above their weight massively, purely through spirit.

Naseem shows that. I didn't like him initially. Thought he was Shoaib 2.0 and an actor. But he's got that old-school Pakistani spirit. The only other player in this team with it is Amir. Rizwan maybe a little too.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I don't think enough people comprehend how mentally tough he is. He made his test debut in Australia a day after his mother passed away. That was his introduction to cricket. I mean I can't even imagine how tough that must have been for him. At that young age.

Say what you will about Misbah but debuting him in that series was baptism by fire. And I think that the fact that he got thrown to the wolves essentially i.e. playing test cricket despite not having much FC experience, that made him a better bowler. Because he got hammered overseas and quickly had to learn the value of bowling consistent lines.

Unlike Shaheen he doesn't try to go for magic balls. He relies on his length and has enough pace and swing to be a nightmare for batters. Especially on pitches like NY.

He has an amazing attitude and approach to the game. If he manages to keep injuries in check, I think there's nothing stopping him from being one of the best fast bowlers in the world.

 

[Rana]

Khubsurat fast bowler has a decent game in seamer friendly conditions

The whole World Cup isn’t played in conditions or against opponents that favour you

 

[FearlessRoar]

Warning:

Avoid personal comments and keep the discussion on track.

 

[zarak]

Naseem and Amir bowled beautifully. It's criminal how Shaheen went for 30 on this seamers paradise.

Shaheen thinks his inswinging yorker is the best thing on earth. He does not have the humility to hit back of a length when that is what the pitch demands. Seven years as a pro and he has not learned that.

 

[Professionalismandflair]

SSA is costly, stubborn and has an entitled complex. He believes his own hype and doesn’t have the discipline to adjust to conditions. He has cost us many important games.

 

[IAJ]

Exceellent player. His bowling is good we all know that, but he keeps surprising with the bat as well. Very calm under preassure.

 

[Kianig89]

Naseem Shah already with his batting has won us matches which player like Rizwan and Babar can only dream off crunch situation

 

[hafizexpress]

Laugh or cry after the match, what difference does it make? Your team still ended up losing at the end of the day.

In a time when everybody is questioning the intentions of Pakistani players and whether they are playing for their country or are just there to spend a good time, things like this just show who really wants it. Not only this, but the way they play. And you could tell Naseem wanted this win from the moment he started bowling

 

[mominsaigol]

I've always had a soft spot for naseem which is why I claimed what I did.

This boy isn't bad, and he's a good player. He gets spanked but he has bowled well at times and he's been decent.

And unlike our other players, he actually works on fitness and isn't a bhegarat like the rest. He gave it his all and honestly shocking how he's a better player them shadab amd chacha even as a batter and read the conditions better then those 2.

He cried because it hurt. So people shouldn't bash that, it's alot better then going to a mall and relaxing like Bobby did.

However he ain't captaincy material. He's injury prone, and to be a captain you gotta be cool and tough and in Pakistan's case you gotta be cool, tough and ve the biggest @^@#head possible like IK or Younis Khan cause these boys don't respect others. Australia respects Cummings and Marsh, here we need YK, IK and sarfraz ghussei walei log.

Muhammad haris is best choice.

 

[pakistani pride]

Old school Pak cricketer.
He has shades of the 90s Pak team.

Does not fit in this team of tourists.

 

[PakFan2010]

I read this as "germ".

 

[Kianig89]

Fair to say, Naseem Shah the only politics free, controversy free no nonsense player in the team.

Neither tries to act like a Saint as Rizwan or is motor mouth like Amir or claims to be blessed as Shadab Khan nor has a strong PR like Babar

 

[HARKS]

Same things like jazba ,future great , big heart and all type of things said about SSA and Rauf at end of 2021 ,some even termed as equal or most dangerous than Australia bowling line up or parallel to 70s West Indies ,now nothing remains cannot even defend against USA , wait untill 2 - 3 years same things will be repeated for shah also with some other young bowlers will tauted as greatest.

 

[Bhaijaan]

People will regret what they missed when they will be seeing Naseem Shah take 5fers in legends leagues few years from now

 

[Kianig89]

Excellent effort as Nightwatchman , one of his kind who still has hunger for Test cricket

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Excellent effort as Nightwatchman , one of his kind who still has hunger for Test cricket

but he still needs to work on his fitness to play this format... he doesn't seem comfortable after bowling four overs.

 

[Farah Sohail]

Naseem Shah should seriously get focussed on getting his full rhythm back as a bowler.. .. he is not even half as accurate now, as he was pre injury..I am worried ..
he would go Shaheen route…

 

[RidiculousMan]

Naseem Shah should seriously get focussed on getting his full rhythm back as a bowler.. .. he is not even half as accurate now, as he was pre injury..I am worried ..
he would go Shaheen route…

He bowled well. Troubled Root on this track. Near LBW call too. Was the bowler who got the most amount of swing of any bowler in this Test match.

 

[Farah Sohail]

He bowled well. Troubled Root on this track. Near LBW call too. Was the bowler who got the most amount of swing of any bowler in this Test match.

But now…he bowls many loose deliveries, also..along with good ones.. earlier he used to be much more accurate.. I think it has much to do with his fitness…

 

[pakistani pride]

Clearly he is not fit/ 100%
You would expect Gillespie to see this and work on his fitness, not playing test matches!

Seriously pathetic.

 

[TheSultan]

Honestly, I was a bit underwhelmed by his bowling today. I don’t understand what it takes for these guys to get fired up.

Ok, he got a lucky wicket, but that should have fired him up and we should have seen something extra next ball to root. And what does he do? Bowl a 135k floater wide outside off stump allowing the new batsman to pick up a 3 to get off the mark and also get to the other end.

How can you not be fired up by taking an early wicket.

 

[Rana]

Honestly, I was a bit underwhelmed by his bowling today. I don’t understand what it takes for these guys to get fired up.

Ok, he got a lucky wicket, but that should have fired him up and we should have seen something extra next ball to root. And what does he do? Bowl a 135k floater wide outside off stump allowing the new batsman to pick up a 3 to get off the mark and also get to the other end.

How can you not be fired up by taking an early wicket.

Him and Shaheen are probably going to break down by the end of this Test

 

[mominsaigol]

Him and Shaheen are probably going to break down by the end of this Test

They had already broken down yesterday.

It felt as if pakistan had been bowling all day and not England.

The gap in fitness is sky high between the 2 sides.

 

[mon858]

I would rather take mir hamza who can at lease get more swing with new ball Over Shaheen and Nasim. Even khuram shehzad has been decent.

 

[moghul]

Pathetic bowling attack Pakistan possesses , unfit and uninspired bowlers . England will bat till tea time 4th day and pitch will start misbehaving by then and England spinners will run through Pakistan batting . England will easily make the 180 something runs to win the test.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Naseem Shah is under a lot of pressure because he is not getting enough support from other pacers like he used to get from Shaheen in the past. He bowled well, yeah, a few loose deliveries but he was still looking a lot more composed than Shaheen.

 

[Mamoon]

He is the biggest failure that no one talks about while everyone is ready to behead Shaheen.

Shaheen has reached a peak in his career has not even come close to replicating. His 2019-2021 performances are far superior to anything that Naseem has ever done in his career.

He is more renowned for some fluke runs vs Afghanistan than actual bowling performances. On top of that, he has gained weight as well.

 

[SportsWarrior]

Of all the batsman, root was reverse scoping this guy. How fast was Naseem bowling? he is bang average although in this match he seemed to be bowling better than Shaheen

 

[mominsaigol]

He is the biggest failure that no one talks about while everyone is ready to behead Shaheen.

Shaheen has reached a peak in his career has not even come close to replicating. His 2019-2021 performances are far superior to anything that Naseem has ever done in his career.

He is more renowned for some fluke runs vs Afghanistan than actual bowling performances. On top of that, he has gained weight as well.

Shaheen has a stated age of 24. Now assuming the age fudge nonsense aside,

How is a 24 year old past his peak?

 

[Mamoon]

Shaheen has a stated age of 24. Now assuming the age fudge nonsense aside,

How is a 24 year old past his peak?

I didn’t say he is past his peak. He is still in his prime years but PCB mismanagement has taken its toll on him. He will still get back to his 2019-2021 level if he takes some time off and allow his body and mind to heal.

Shaheen has at least 6-7 years more of prime bowling left in him. Nothing is lost but PCB will have to learn from their previous mistakes.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Naseem Shah may lose his aura too if he remains part of this current Pakistan side.

 

[Mamoon]

Naseem has never performed with the ball. It is fact.

 

[mominsaigol]

I didn’t say he is past his peak. He is still in his prime years but PCB mismanagement has taken its toll on him. He will still get back to his 2019-2021 level if he takes some time off and allow his body and mind to heal.

Shaheen has at least 6-7 years more of prime bowling left in him. Nothing is lost but PCB will have to learn from their previous mistakes.

AlrightE

 

[Hellion]

He's the best of an extremely mediocre bowling team(including all domestic bowlers as well)

But even his fitness and durability are suspect.

 

[mominsaigol]

He's the best of an extremely mediocre bowling team(including all domestic bowlers as well)

But even his fitness and durability are suspect.

Lol no, it's a shame no one watched the Champions One Day Cup .

Pakistan is broken into pieces however the people they have at the back, if selected would be more competitive.

Ali Raza is one such gun. Bit ofcourse people will laugh at me for my suggestion bringing in fitness, I'm always right about Pakistan cricket. That much ik.

As for aussie and Indian cricket, not always right but sometimes will get the last laugh, Sometimes not. Never ending battle with the 2nd one.

 

[Hellion]

Lol no, it's a shame no one watched the Champions One Day Cup .

Pakistan is broken into pieces however the people they have at the back, if selected would be more competitive.

Ali Raza is one such gun. Bit ofcourse people will laugh at me for my suggestion bringing in fitness, I'm always right about Pakistan cricket. That much ik.

As for aussie and Indian cricket, not always right but sometimes will get the last laugh, Sometimes not. Never ending battle with the 2nd one.

Ali Raza is yet to make his FC debut

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Naseem needs a captain who understands fast bowlers and knows how to use them. It's terrible to see both Shan and Babar use fast bowlers as machines. Look at Shan Masood's dismissal. Pope gave short spells to his bowlers, they had specific plans for each batsmen and knew which bowler could execute those specific plans. Skill level, form, fitness issues is there but also it's necessary to held Pak management accountable.

 

[mominsaigol]

Ali Raza is yet to make his FC debut

Bro, listen.

I saw shaheen bowl in the one day cup and he was dreadful, plain and simple. Everyone also laughed at me for saying rizzu was crap in champions one day cup against rubbish bowling.

Everyone used the Bangladesh test nonsense against me and now I'm sitting their laughing at their faces.

It does sound stupid, aka my suggestions do sound silly, except you have to realise, that when the cupboard is that bare, beggers can't be choosers.

Seriously what's wrong with bringing an inexperienced pacer who cam bowl at 145 to 150 clicks and is an intelligent bowler with good line and length into international test?

What's wrong with that experiment? Try it put once and see what happens. Pak is already playing with bowlers who have zero fitness.

Shaheen, Naseem, Abrar, And everyone else are all medicore t20 bowlers parading around as test bowlers.

Only jamal is an all format bowler however he's also medicore, but atleast he has the fitness to bowl and had the conditons been better and fielders fitter, and a captain who wasn't a moron and actually put fielders at the back when England started bazzballing on day 4, He'd have picked up more wickets like he did in AUS.

Their is nothing crazy about my experiment.

I pin pointed all 15 best performers in that cup and besides Babar(who's failing) and saim(who's also failing) none of the other clown 15 made it on my list.

I'm not confusing odi with test. But I am experimenting with a flock of sheep. Worst case scenario they get shoved into the slaughterroom which is no different from what's happening now

 

[Super Santi]

He troubled Root for a spell.

Think he looks exciting and does some things well but is in danger of becoming an unlucky bowler (someone who bowls nice spells, beats the bat but does not get many wickets).

Worth sticking with him but think a big 18 months ahead for him in tests.

Shaheen a massive disappointment in tests from what i have seen of him - expected him to potentially be an all-format legend.

On another note, in tests Naseem should probably bat ahead of Shaheen. Shaheen seems more of a slogger, Shah looks more willing to apply himself and try and grind out runs and give the batter at the other end time to make a meaningful contribution late in the innings.

 

[RyanRyan10]

He has a potential to become an allrounder

 

[pakistani pride]

Forget bowling. His fitness level is pathetic. It seems being part of such a weak and timid dressing room has turned him into a loser as well. How can a fast bowler carry extra weight?!

 

[batandballbattle]

He like Shaheen has also declined, pace is down, nowhere near as accurate and carrying a belly
One of the two should be dropped for Mir Hamza in the next test

 

[jnaveen1980]

At test match level pace is not uber important. Woakes, Ollie Robinson are not express. Setting up batsmen, working over weakness of players there are certain attributes that are needed in Tests. Pakistan bowlers lack that. Generally these attributes get passed on from experienced bowlers to next gen bowlers. Coach also plays a role. Guys like Asitha Fernando have great discipline.

 

[Local.Dada]

Naseem Shah is a good bowler. Has pace, can swing the ball. However he is still a youngster. Most subcontinent fast bowlers except 2-3 are way more potent at home and have better averages on home pitches than overseas. He hardly played first class and he gets to bowl on pitches where nearly 1500 runs were scored in 3 innings. He will never develop.

 

[shamaan]

Bro, listen.

I saw shaheen bowl in the one day cup and he was dreadful, plain and simple. Everyone also laughed at me for saying rizzu was crap in champions one day cup against rubbish bowling.

Everyone used the Bangladesh test nonsense against me and now I'm sitting their laughing at their faces.

It does sound stupid, aka my suggestions do sound silly, except you have to realise, that when the cupboard is that bare, beggers can't be choosers.

Seriously what's wrong with bringing an inexperienced pacer who cam bowl at 145 to 150 clicks and is an intelligent bowler with good line and length into international test?

What's wrong with that experiment? Try it put once and see what happens. Pak is already playing with bowlers who have zero fitness.

Shaheen, Naseem, Abrar, And everyone else are all medicore t20 bowlers parading around as test bowlers.

Only jamal is an all format bowler however he's also medicore, but atleast he has the fitness to bowl and had the conditons been better and fielders fitter, and a captain who wasn't a moron and actually put fielders at the back when England started bazzballing on day 4, He'd have picked up more wickets like he did in AUS.

Their is nothing crazy about my experiment.

I pin pointed all 15 best performers in that cup and besides Babar(who's failing) and saim(who's also failing) none of the other clown 15 made it on my list.

I'm not confusing odi with test. But I am experimenting with a flock of sheep. Worst case scenario they get shoved into the slaughterroom which is no different from what's happening now

Worst case could be that he could get injured and never recover after that.

 

[sweep_shot]

For a while, Naseem was a gem. But, he seems to have gained weight and also lost his form.

 

[kron]

I've always had a soft spot for naseem which is why I claimed what I did.

This boy isn't bad, and he's a good player. He gets spanked but he has bowled well at times and he's been decent.

And unlike our other players, he actually works on fitness and isn't a bhegarat like the rest. He gave it his all and honestly shocking how he's a better player them shadab amd chacha even as a batter and read the conditions better then those 2.

He cried because it hurt. So people shouldn't bash that, it's alot better then going to a mall and relaxing like Bobby did.

However he ain't captaincy material. He's injury prone, and to be a captain you gotta be cool and tough and in Pakistan's case you gotta be cool, tough and ve the biggest @^@#head possible like IK or Younis Khan cause these boys don't respect others. Australia respects Cummings and Marsh, here we need YK, IK and sarfraz ghussei walei log.

Muhammad haris is best choice.

Maybe just keep him for odi and t20. He can't handle tests. You don't have to force players to play a format they aren't suited for?

 

[RyanRyan10]

For a while, Naseem was a gem. But, he seems to have gained weight and also lost his form.

When did this happen? @hoshiarpurexpress @Mesozoic

He has lost his form and is unable to take wickets.

 

[mominsaigol]

Maybe just keep him for odi and t20. He can't handle tests. You don't have to force players to play a format they aren't suited for?

I had a soft spot for him on June 10th 2024.

Read my comment as it talks about fitness. No longer applicable with his pot belly.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

When did this happen? @hoshiarpurexpress @Mesozoic

He has lost his form and is unable to take wickets.

He ate too much beef and gained weight. When fast bowlers gain weight they cannot run fast.
Since they cannot run fast, they cannot bowl fast.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Hag has all the skill set of a top fast bowler. But there's no cheat code to fitness. He has played 2 tests in last 15 months, and hardly any 4 day cricket. There lies the problem