Naseem Shah, once a formidable force in Pakistan's fast bowling lineup alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi, has made a startling revelation about the Pakistani cricket system. After making a comeback to cricket after nearly five months, Shah expressed a concerning perspective on the Pakistan cricket framework, suggesting that taking a rest could potentially mark the end of a player's career. This statement from Naseem Shah is quickly becoming a hot topic, spreading rapidly across social media platforms.
"I think, unfortunately, in Pakistan, the case is different. Here, the situation is such that if a newcomer performs in one game, the main bowlers are afraid of their place in the XI and wonder if they will be retained for the next game. That fear does not allow players to rest because sometimes when you rest, your career can end up resting in peace," Naseem told CricWick.
"There’s also a fear among players and our culture is such that if we say our bodies aren’t 100 percent or we are tired, there will be a lot of chatter about our commitment towards playing. Even the players start talking about you so you don’t take rest voluntarily," he added.
How to avoid such a scenario?
Moreover, Naseem Shah has also proposed solutions to the board, aiming to address the issues within the Pakistani cricket system.
"The way to avoid that could be if the physio or bowling coach pre-decides the number of games you will play in a series. It will always be better. It (workload management) should happen but it is not in our culture," he stated.
His insights and the subsequent public discussion shed light on the challenges faced by players within the system, particularly regarding the management of rest periods and injury recoveries. This revelation by Naseem Shah opens up a dialogue about the need for a more supportive and flexible approach within the Pakistan cricket infrastructure to nurture and retain talent effectively.
Naseem Shah missed the 2023 ODI World Cup
Reflecting on Naseem Shah's recent journey, the fast bowler faced a setback during the Asia Cup held in 2023, where he sustained an injury. This unfortunate event led to his absence from the World Cup 2023, hosted in India, a tournament where the Pakistan team, led by Babar Azam, deeply felt his absence.
However, Naseem Shah's return to the cricket field in the ongoing 2024 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been met with great enthusiasm, as he appears to be regaining his form. In just 7 matches, Shah has already claimed 9 wickets, showcasing his potential to once again become a key player for the national team.
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