Pakistan’s young fast bowler, Naseem Shah, apologized to those requesting match tickets, saying that it’s impossible to keep everyone happy.
Speaking on the PCB Podcast, Naseem Shah shared that when he first came to Lahore to play cricket at the age of 12 or 13, someone saw him bowl and remarked that he was already capable of playing first-class cricket. “My father allowed me to play for a month or so, saying if things worked out, fine; otherwise, I would return to school. Legendary cricketer Abdul Qadir’s son, Salman Qadir, predicted my success, and then I worked really hard. Abdul Qadir himself took my trial,” he recalled, emphasizing the effort it took to reach his current level.
Talking about injuries, Naseem said that making a comeback after rehab is always challenging for any player. “New-ball bowling comes with its own pressure, and taking wickets with the new ball is crucial. I try to maintain discipline in my bowling, especially in One-Day cricket,” he added.
In response to a question about tail-enders forming partnerships, Naseem said, “Bowlers do get frustrated when tail-enders build partnerships, which is why I also try to do the same when I bat. I train at the club to improve my batting and make sure I don’t give away my wicket easily. In club matches, I even open the batting.”
Discussing the upcoming ICC event in Pakistan, Naseem expressed excitement and confidence. “We are both eager and prepared for the Champions Trophy. Fans will get to see top stars playing here. We believe that this time, we won’t repeat past mistakes and will achieve success,” he stated.
On the topic of match tickets provided by PCB, Naseem explained, “Brothers, we only receive three to four tickets, but there are 200 to 300 people asking for them. Please don’t get upset. Sometimes, we even have to refuse our own family members. It’s just not possible to keep everyone happy, so please, just don’t ask for tickets.”
