5 Things That Crossed My Mind While Watching #NaseemShah Yesterday

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Afshar Iqbal
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Naseem, #PakvsInd #AsiaCup2022, #PakvsInd Saqlain Mushtaq, #PakvsNZ
Image Source: International Cricket Council
#NaseemShah was pretty decent during his white ball debut yesterday. He picked up 3 wickets for 51 runs however, his figures don’t quite explain the sort of impact he had on the game. Hence, we’ll here list down 5 takeaways from the teenager’s impressive performance.  

Read: Sourav Ganguly Plays Down The Hype Around #PakvsInd Matches

More At Home Than In Test Cricket?

Pakistan vs Australia, Pakistan’s First Test Against Australia, Brisbane Test Punjab XI, Bangladesh tours Pakistan, Mohd. Hafeez Shoaib Malik, Defending Champions Quetta Gladiators, Naseem Shah And Mohd. Amir, Pakistan Second Test New Zealand, Hasan Ali South Africa, Naseem Shah, #PAKvsSL Naseem Shah, #PAKvsSL Naseem Shah, #NaseemShah
Image Source: www.espncricinfo.com

Naseem’s been playing Test cricket for a while however, he certainly seemed more effective in shorter version of the game which makes us wonder if Test cricket is really the best format for him? He is only 19 and so, we can never be sure if the pressure of Test cricket on his body is worth the risk particularly, when there are other fast bowling options available for the longer format.  

Read: Ricky Ponting Backs India Ahead Of The #PakvsInd Clash

Fitness

Naseem Shah, Pakistan's Third T20 Against England, Shahid Afridi Naseem Shah, Naseem Shah, Mohd. Wasim Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, #NaseemShah
Source: PCB/PSL

Naseem must take a leaf out of Shaheen Afridi’s book and ensure he remains fit for as long as possible. The selector’s too must help the youngster with his work-load so that he is able to represent the country for a significant period of time.

Read: Babar Azam Opens Up On The Exclusion Of Shoaib Malik & Imad Wasim

#NaseemShah Is An Imposer In The Making

Pakistan’s first Test against Bangladesh, PCB Greens & PCB Whites, Shoaib Akhtar And Ramiz Raja, Shan Masood "Blessing in Disguise", #PAKvWI Haris Rauf & Mohd. Nawaz, ICC Announces Test Team Of The Year Shaheen Afridi Test Cricket, Naseem Shah, #NaseemShah
Image Source: Paul Kane/Getty Images/www.cricingif.com

Like Shaheen Afridi, Naseem can swing the new ball big, has pace and can back it up with a perfect yorker. He an imposer in the making and one that Pakistan must handle with care.  

Read: Jayawardena Backs Babar Azam To Become The Number Test Batter

Needs To Reduce Extras

Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf Steve Smith, Naseem Shah, Naseem Shah
Source: Geo.tv

Naseem Shah yesterday bowled as many as eight extra deliveries. That’s a lot of extras particularly in shorter formats of the game and so, that’s one areas where he certainly needs to improve.

Read: Shadab Khan Ready To Bat Any Number For Pakistan

Must Repeat Similar Performances Against The Big Boys

Pakistan’s Playing XI Against Bangladesh, #PakvsBan Usman Shinwari
Image Source: cricketpakistan.com.pk/AFP

Naseem will truly arrive in international cricket once and if he is able to produce more yesterday like performances against the big boys of the game including Australia, New Zealand, England and India. Moreover, it is ICC events where he must aim to excel in order to become the next big thing in Pakistan cricket.

By the way during the Asia Cup, he can definitely upset the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma if he can produce the sort of yorkers we all know him for!

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