[VIDEO] "I wanted to dedicate my maiden 5-fer to my mother" : Naseem Shah

[Abdullah719]

Naseem Shah at a press conference:

When I started playing cricket in my village, we didn't have many facilities there like a ground etc. so we played with tape ball and watched matches on TV. I also saw the bowling of Shoaib bhai, Waqar bhai, Wasim bhai. I really liked Shane Bond's bowling and action so I got the desire to bowl fast and I started. I moved to Lahore and started club cricket, thanks to Allah. I kept playing and worked hard and got the result for that.

However much I thank Allah is less, playing in front of your home crowd and getting five wickets is amazing. I was being positive, I struggled a bit in the first innings and didn't get a wicket, I was a bit unlucky too. In the 2nd innings, I had a plan and wanted to give my best effort and Allah helped me.

I have confidence in my skill and I believe in my hard work, I believed that I will prove myself by Allah's grace.

I went through a tough time and I think only I know how difficult it was for me. But I kept focusing on working hard, after a person goes through difficulty, they can get happiness and thanks to Allah, it was a day of happiness for me, to get 5 wickets at home.

I can't explain what I went through because my family might be watching and my father might be upset so that will stay in my heart. I thank Allah for giving me sabr, it was a very tough time for me. I can't really explain in words, my feelings but thanks to Allah for making it easy for me. My mother didn't know much about cricket but I used to try and explain to her about it and she always used to pray for me. She didn't know about bowling or batting but she used to ask about who won. Whenever I told her we lost, she would offer namaz and pray for me. I spent a lot of time in Lahore recently and my mother didn't come there because she was accustomed to life in the village. When I joined the Pakistan team, I told her that I am very busy now and whenever I come for training to Lahore then I will see her, she was going to Lahore on the day that she passed away.

Waqar bhai told me that if big bowlers don't get wickets in the 1st innings, they plan well for the 2nd innings and look to do well, that's what I did and I bowled according to my plan and I was positive.

I wanted to dedicate my maiden 5-fer to my mother as she would watch me on TV. I also dedicate this performance to my father.



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Naseem Shah - my heart goes out to this brave, young man <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/A9RHlYKR5c">pic.twitter.com/A9RHlYKR5c</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1209148270859173895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Hawkeye]

Wonderful kid. So much talent, still a teenager.

 

[Ami]

Man...this is great!
Waited so long for Pakistan to play at home....
One day im gonna watch em there, just to soak in the atmosphere, itd be a dream come true.

 

[MenInG]

Very sad bits about his mum - Hope ALLAH Gives him the strength to bear her loss and continue doing well.

 

[Saj]

A wonderful talent.

I just hope he stays on the straight and narrow path and distractions don't get in his way as they did with another young Pakistani pace-bowler who was destined for greatness.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Heartwarming to read. May the lad see more success in the future IA. Way to go!

 

[as-95]

I must say that Naseem's mental toughness is commendable. I cannot imagine the feeling of losing one's mother at such a young age and it almost brought tears to my eyes. To perform in such adversity requires impressive mental strength.

There are examples of many sportsmen who have allowed their personal lives to affect their performance and it is only natural. For example, the Brazilian footballer Adriano's career completely derailed after the loss of his father.

Naseem must now kick on and use this adversity to further fuel his desire for success and it looks like he has the mental strength to do so!

 

[DrSchultz]

Naseem Shah at a press conference:

When I started playing cricket in my village, we didn't have many facilities there like a ground etc. so we played with tape ball and watched matches on TV. I also saw the bowling of Shoaib bhai, Waqar bhai, Wasim bhai.

How did he manage to do this?

 

[Abdullah719]

How did he manage to do this?

YouTube?

 

[topspin]

Heartwarming to read in this cold weather.

Wish Naseem Shah all the best.

 

[Saj]

I must say that Naseem's mental toughness is commendable. I cannot imagine the feeling of losing one's mother at such a young age and it almost brought tears to my eyes. To perform in such adversity requires impressive mental strength.

There are examples of many sportsmen who have allowed their personal lives to affect their performance and it is only natural. For example, the Brazilian footballer Adriano's career completely derailed after the loss of his father.

Naseem must now kick on and use this adversity to further fuel his desire for success and it looks like he has the mental strength to do so!

He needs good people around him, people who have his best interests at heart rather than their own interests. I hope this is the case.

He seems to be level-headed and mature and I hope he stays that way.

 

[Bewal Express]

He needs good people around him, people who have his best interests at heart rather than their own interests. I hope this is the case.

He seems to be level-headed and mature and I hope he stays that way.

IA he will be different but we have seen too many of these talents go to waste. The PCB should appoint a mentor for the lad, someone like Umar Gul to guide him and keep him safe from the vultures. As I said yesterday, there are 3 areas that could destroy the lad-the celebrity life style, injuries and Ind bookies.

 

[moghul]

He needs good people around him, people who have his best interests at heart rather than their own interests. I hope this is the case.

He seems to be level-headed and mature and I hope he stays that way.

I believe in Waqar he has a wonderful mentor and coach. Shaheen has improved a lot and now this kid, they can;t ask for a better coach.

Heartwarming and emotional statement from young Naseem, wonderful.

 

[as-95]

He needs good people around him, people who have his best interests at heart rather than their own interests. I hope this is the case.

He seems to be level-headed and mature and I hope he stays that way.

Agreed. Despite Misbah's boring cricket, he has has always been an honest man so it may be good to have him around the team as coach and chief selector. Honest folks like this will be a good influence on him to ensure he keeps his head down and works hard.

 

[Saj]

I believe in Waqar he has a wonderful mentor and coach. Shaheen has improved a lot and now this kid, they can;t ask for a better coach.

Heartwarming and emotional statement from young Naseem, wonderful.

Waqar was coach when 2009 happened. I hope he's learnt from that episode too.

 

[Waleed93]

Brave kid.

He has gone through a lot in the last month, and to play Test Cricket after losing his mother, staying away from his family in such conditions takes a lot of mental toughness.

He definitely is a talent to watch out for.

 

[Amjid Javed]

His family will be very proud of his excellent efforts with the ball. Both him and shaheen if coached and captain righltly can really shine as players.

 

[Saj]

I don't think he should have been made to do the press conference today.

Poor kid's head is probably still all over the place.

 

[MoJoJoJo]

more power to this guy. Nothing can ever fill the void of parents.. May Allah grant him sabr.. Ameen

 

[Markhor]

Oh man that video was hard to watch.

 

[Abdullah719]

Oh man that video was hard to watch.

The credit goes to some of the esteemed 'senior' sports journalists, who kept on persisting with this line of questioning despite Naseem being visibly uncomfortable while discussing it. Excerpts:

<iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/pdkiv/vkurts" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[MenInG]

So first ask a young man if he remembers his late mother and then when he breaks down and leaves, get a video of him as well....

This is Naseem Shah leaving the presser clearly upset.

 

[Usman]

The credit goes to some of the esteemed 'senior' sports journalists, who kept on persisting with this line of questioning despite Naseem being visibly uncomfortable while discussing it. Excerpts:

<iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/pdkiv/vkurts" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Agree totally. They wanted to get a reaction out of him and didn't stop until they got one. These sorts of people have no regard for the individual involved - basically a child in this case. They just want that moment which they can replay on TV screens and put into their papers.

 

[Saj]

Agree totally. They wanted to get a reaction out of him and didn't stop until they got one. These sorts of people have no regard for the individual involved - basically a child in this case. They just want that moment which they can replay on TV screens and put into their papers.

They don't give a damn about the kid, they don't give a damn about Pakistan cricket. Utterly disgraceful.

 

[Hasan123]

Your mother would be proud of you. A highly talented bowler who the PCB need to protect and not overburden and over play.

 

[ZamanFan]

The credit goes to some of the esteemed 'senior' sports journalists, who kept on persisting with this line of questioning despite Naseem being visibly uncomfortable while discussing it. Excerpts:

<iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/pdkiv/vkurts" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Really ashamed and disgusted with the way some of the Pakistani press behave. Some are complete idiots. There should be clear directions by PCB media manager accompanying the player not to ask personal questions especially about a loved one who has passed away recently.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So first ask a young man questions about his late mother.<br><br>Then keep asking him questions on the same topic.<br><br>And then ask more questions about the same thing.<br><br>Then when he can't take any more and breaks down and leaves, get a video of him as well.<br><br>Absolutely disgusting<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/cdkDfcT8j1">pic.twitter.com/cdkDfcT8j1</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1209200527306887170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[TeamPak95]

Brain dead journalists. Nothing more, nothing less.

Naseem’s mother would’ve been proud. I hope he has a long, healthy, prosperous career.

 

[Saj]

Really ashamed and disgusted with the way some of the Pakistani press behave. Some are complete idiots. There should be clear directions by PCB media manager accompanying the player not to ask personal questions especially about a loved one who has passed away recently.

The problem is, some of the fools asking the questions are good mates with PCB media guys, which means they get away with such pathetic behaviour.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Very happy for the teenager , may Allah bless him with more success.

Some of the mediamen should be ashamed of using this lads grief to sell their news.

 

[Waleed93]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So first ask a young man questions about his late mother.<br><br>Then keep asking him questions on the same topic.<br><br>And then ask more questions about the same thing.<br><br>Then when he can't take any more and breaks down and leaves, get a video of him as well.<br><br>Absolutely disgusting<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/cdkDfcT8j1">pic.twitter.com/cdkDfcT8j1</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1209200527306887170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Some Pakistani journos are a shame in the name of journalism.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan's Naseem Shah may be just a teenager but his fiery bowling has given him a top position on the bowling charts.

On Monday, Naseem grabbed 5-31 in Pakistan's series-clinching win over Sri Lanka in Karachi to become the youngest fast bowler at 16 years 307 days to achieve the feat.

He broke the record of another Pakistan Mohammad Amir who also made his mark with his first five wicket haul at 17 years 257 days against Australia in Melbourne 10 years ago.

Naseem's feat has prompted the cricket world to take notice of the precocious ability.

Belief in his talent, Naseem says, has been the key.

"I had belief in my hard work and talent so when I got the chance I tried my best," said Naseem. "I am elated that my feat on a home ground and before my own people has contributed in the win.

"I know this is just the beginning and if I keep up the hard work more rewards will come my way."

Naseem's landmark moment capped a three-month fast track progress from a precocious talent to one of the leaders of Pakistan's bowling attack.

He has been in the limelight for sometime but it was in October this year that national selectors decided to throw him in the deep when he took nine wickets in a domestic match.

Four days later he was on the plane to Australia for the two-match Test series -- a move described as 'throwing a cub before the wolves.'

Pakistan's bowling coach Waqar Younis -- himself a lethal fast bowler -- likened Naseem to former Australian great paceman Dennis Lillee.

"He's got a very strong action. He reminds me of Dennis Lillee actually. He's got a very similar action," Waqar said before the first Test in Brisbane.

"He's not as big as Dennis - Dennis was a big guy - but when he gets it right, he's a handful. He's very talented with his pace the key."

Naseem made people take notice with his short burst of eight overs against Australia A, claiming Marcus Harris's wicket with a sharp bouncer.

That was after he received the news of his mother's death back home.

But he showed steely resolve as a week later he was played in the first Test in Brisbane.

He claimed dashing Australian opener David Warner twice, first off a no-ball on 56 and then on 154.

Warner appreciated Naseem's talent.

"He charged in, and there's a superstar there," said Warner.

"If Waqar can get a hold of them (Naseem and other young bowlers) and get their lines and lengths and their engines going, they're going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future."

- Tough start -

It was a tough baptism for Naseem, who hails from the small town of Lower Dir, in the north-west Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Naseem said his father was against his playing cricket.

"Those were tough days," recalls Naseem. "My father used to say 'why you play the sport of foreigners, instead study."

But cricket was at the core of his life.

"There were not much facilities in my village so I used to play with tape ball. I watched Waqar and Shoaib Akhtar on television but I liked Shane Bond's (New Zealand fast bowler) action.

"Then I moved to Lahore and played cricket there and it was there I got more opportunities and then I was selected for Pakistan Under-16."

The rest is, as they say, history.

Waqar believes Naseem can go places with his talent.

"He knows what he's doing and knows where to reach in cricket."

https://www.france24.com/en/20191223-pakistan-pace-sensation-naseem-grows-from-cub-to-lion

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So first ask a young man questions about his late mother.<br><br>Then keep asking him questions on the same topic.<br><br>And then ask more questions about the same thing.<br><br>Then when he can't take any more and breaks down and leaves, get a video of him as well.<br><br>Absolutely disgusting<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/cdkDfcT8j1">pic.twitter.com/cdkDfcT8j1</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1209200527306887170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I know the intentions aren't bad but tweeting this sentiment with a picture of him crying doesn't help the situation at all.

 

[MenInG]

I know the intentions aren't bad but tweeting this sentiment with a picture of him crying doesn't help the situation at all.

The picture is already out there - we are drawing attention to the message that picture conveys with the photographer taking a picture of Naseem.

 

[Saj]

When the topic was first brought up, the PCB media guy should have stopped it there and said no questions on the topic. Instead because it was one of his mates, he allowed it to continue, which then meant others could ask questions on the same topic and it became a free-for-all.

Very poorly handled by PCB.

 

[Shazzam]

This is just awful. Cricketers should not be asked these personal questions.

 

[silentkiller187]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So first ask a young man questions about his late mother.<br><br>Then keep asking him questions on the same topic.<br><br>And then ask more questions about the same thing.<br><br>Then when he can't take any more and breaks down and leaves, get a video of him as well.<br><br>Absolutely disgusting<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/cdkDfcT8j1">pic.twitter.com/cdkDfcT8j1</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1209200527306887170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This idiot needs to be banned from any future pressers, you can clearly see the kid is emotional and then you carry on digging trying to get a reaction. Then finally when he breaks down you stick a camera in his face.

 

[Saj]

This idiot needs to be banned from any future pressers, you can clearly see the kid is emotional and then you carry on digging trying to get a reaction. Then finally when he breaks down you stick a camera in his face.

Several idiots in there, not just one.

Nothing will happen.

 

[Bewal Express]

This idiot needs to be banned from any future pressers, you can clearly see the kid is emotional and then you carry on digging trying to get a reaction. Then finally when he breaks down you stick a camera in his face.

Where was the PCB press officer in all this? Isn't it his job to say what's off limits?

 

[Saj]

Where was the PCB press officer in all this? Isn't it his job to say what's off limits?

Stood there like a lemon doing nothing, allowing all his buddies to ask stupid questions. Then when Naseem got upset he belatedly led him away.

Total incompetence.

 

[Bewal Express]

Stood there like a lemon doing nothing, allowing all his buddies to ask stupid questions. Then when Naseem got upset he belatedly led him away.

Total incompetence.

Not surprised, these are sifarshis employed to pick up a salary for doing bugger all.

 

[Titan24]

PCB needs to ask media/press officer what exactly is his role and what he was doing? You cant give teenagers to media for questioning without having somebody responsible with them. Its inexcusable.