Naseem Shah (Photo Source: twitter)
Pakistan’s fast bowler Naseem Shah has witnessed exceptional success in international cricket at a very young age but has stayed out of the national side regularly due to injuries and personal losses. However, the young pace sensation’s journey has been inspiring.
At just 16, Naseem became the youngest bowler to take a Test hat-trick and the second-youngest to claim a five-wicket haul in Tests. However, his early career made him experience a devastating loss when his mother passed away while he was on tour. Tragedy struck again when he suffered a shoulder injury during the 2023 Asia Cup, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Naseem’s connection with injuries has been a never-ending story, with the young pacer often finding himself on the treatment table instead of the cricket field. Despite facing setbacks, he has shown remarkable mental strength, bouncing back stronger each time.
“I had to undergo surgery, and that is a big deal if you’ve never had surgery before, There was a ball I bowled against India [in the Asia Cup Super Four] after which I fell down, and just before that I felt a tendon in my shoulder rip and sensed a gap in there. When we did a CT scan and the doctor approached me, I said, ‘I know what you’re about to tell me. You’re going to tell me I’m out for six months.’ Because I understood what was happening in my body and there was no way out other than surgery,” he said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
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There’s no pain now, but match fitness is totally different from just being injury-free : Naseem Shah
The right-arm pacer recalled an incident that took place with a vendor after his return to his hometown, Lower Dir in northern Pakistan.
“There’s a guy who makes jalebis outside my house, and he started giving me advice about what I had done wrong in the final. I laughed and said to him, ‘Uncle ji, I’ve been buying jalebis from you for two years, have I ever said to you that the shape of your jalebis is wrong or that you haven’t made good ones? We’re human and make mistakes, you make mistakes too. Toh hamein bhi maaf kar do na,” he addded.
“Being injured long-term and rehabbing in preparation to come back is the absolute toughest time any athlete can encounter,” Shah said.
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Yet, Naseem’s determination has never changed. After his shoulder surgery, he made a brilliant return to the Pakistan Super League, yet again showing his rhythm and pace, earning a spot in the team of the tournament.
“There’s no pain now. But match fitness is totally different to just being injury-free. If you haven’t played six months, the only way to gain that is to play more matches. This was why a good PSL [was important]. I returned at the PSL and I felt my rhythm come back, but it still took time for me to return to my best. It only happened because I was regularly playing matches,” he concluded.