Naseem seeks peak form after injury setbacks

Now three months shy of his 24th birthday, with 93 international appearances and 155 wickets to his name, Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah says maturity and experience have changed his approach to the game.

“You change a lot as a human being and a cricketer as you age, with maturity levels and experience enhancing,” Naseem told PCB Digital.

“You also learn a lot through ups and downs in life. You do bowl express pace when you are young and new in the sport, but now I think that you also need to have some sense in terms of what you are trying to do.”

Naseem made an immediate impact on his return to international cricket on Friday, October 9, taking three wickets in Pakistan's opening T20 international against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The right-arm paceman, playing his first international match in seven months, claimed three for 36 from four overs, striking with just his fifth legitimate delivery.

Rawalpindi holds special significance for Naseem. In February 2020, during only his fourth match for Pakistan, he became the youngest bowler to take a Test hat-trick, achieving the feat against Bangladesh at the age of 16 years and 359 days.

Injuries, however, have repeatedly interrupted his progress during a seven-year international career. One of his biggest disappointments was missing the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, while a back injury sustained during the 2026 Pakistan Super League ruled him out of the tournament.

Reflecting on the challenges of rehabilitation, Naseem said injuries could force players to start again from scratch.

“You go back to zero whenever you are injured and sometimes it doesn’t even allow you to go for a run, let alone going through the motions of the game,” he said.

“The rehabilitation programme then becomes important. It is also critical how well you understand your body during those times. Being surrounded by a good medical team also helps.”

Naseem's return against Sri Lanka offered encouraging signs. He first induced an edge from visiting captain Kusal Mendis with a 136.9kph delivery, which was caught at third man.

As Sri Lanka looked to accelerate in the closing stages, he uprooted Dunith Wellalage's leg stump with a 141.9kph delivery before dismissing Lahiru Udara two balls later, with the batter caught at long-on attempting to hit a yorker.

Although he went wicketless in the second T20 international, Naseem conceded only nine runs in two powerplay overs, helping set the tone for Sri Lanka's eventual collapse in the chase.

Asked how fast bowlers could succeed in modern white-ball cricket, where high-scoring matches and entertainment often dominate, Naseem stressed the importance of developing a wider range of skills.

“You have to toy with a batter's mindset in modern-day white-ball cricket given the nature of surfaces around the world and the focus on entertainment through run-fests,” he said.

“One ought to become more skilful and developed as a bowler in these times.”

Naseem is also part of Pakistan's squad for the upcoming one-day international tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka. The competition will form part of Pakistan's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, where Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to lead the side.

Pakistan begin their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on October 8, 2027, and Naseem will be eager to secure a place at his first senior ICC World Cup after missing the 2023 tournament.

He has taken 60 wickets in 34 ODIs at an average of 25.91 and a strike rate of 28.3. His two five-wicket hauls came in consecutive matches: 5-33 against the Netherlands in August 2022 and 5-57 against New Zealand in January 2023.

The achievement made him only the sixth Pakistan bowler to take at least two consecutive five-wicket hauls in the format.

Despite his achievements, Naseem believes his best cricket is still ahead of him.

“I feel I'm yet to play my peak cricket. Whatever the cricket I've played so far, especially Test cricket, I think I lacked a few things,” he said.

“My simple goal is to perform so much that there is no need to talk out loud about my goals or performances. When there are fewer injuries and you are bowling with good rhythm, everything falls into place itself.”