Naseem Shah

Naseem Abbas Shah, born on 15 February 2003, is a Pakistani cricketer who has made a significant impact in international cricket despite his young age. Hailing from Mayar Jandool, a town in the Lower Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, he has quickly risen through the ranks to become a promising fast bowler for Pakistan.

Naseem’s journey to cricketing stardom began when he was called up to the Pakistan cricket team in October 2019 for their Test series against Australia, at just 16 years old. He made his international debut the following month against Australia, becoming the ninth-youngest player to debut in Test cricket. In December 2019, during the second Test match against Sri Lanka, Naseem made history by becoming the second-youngest bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a Test match, and the youngest pace bowler to do so.

One of Naseem’s most remarkable achievements came in February 2020, during the first Test against Bangladesh, when he became the youngest bowler ever to take a hat-trick in a Test match. These early accomplishments have marked him as a player with immense potential and a bright future in cricket.

Despite his success on the cricket field, Naseem has faced personal challenges, including the loss of his mother in 2019, just a day before his Test debut. Despite this tragedy, Naseem has shown resilience and determination, continuing to pursue his passion for cricket.

Personal Life

Naseem comes from a family with a strong cricketing background. His father, Abbas Shah, initially opposed his decision to pursue cricket, preferring him to focus on his studies. However, Naseem persisted and completed his education up to the tenth grade. His younger brother, Hunain Shah, is also a fast bowler playing at the first-class level, highlighting the cricketing talent that runs in the family. Additionally, his youngest brother, Ubaid Shah, followed in his footsteps, making his Under-19 debut in October 2023 and being selected for the Under-19 Asia Cup in December 2023.

In February 2023, Naseem Shah was honored with the honorary rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Balochistan Police, a testament to his stature and influence in Pakistan. He expressed pride in being an ambassador for Balochistan and pledged to represent the province with honor and dignity.

Naseem Shah Bowling Statistics 

International Career | Naseem Shah

2019:

– Naseem Shah was named in Pakistan’s Test squad for their series against Australia in October.

– He made his Test debut against Australia in November, becoming the ninth-youngest player to debut in Test cricket.

– In December, during the second Test match against Sri Lanka, he became the second-youngest bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a Test match, and the youngest pace bowler to do so.

2020:

– Naseem Shah was initially named in Pakistan’s squad for the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup but was withdrawn due to his impressive start in Test cricket.

– In January, he became the youngest bowler to take a Test hat-trick, during the first Test against Bangladesh.

– In May, he was awarded a central contract by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ahead of the 2020–21 season.

2021:

– Naseem was named in the Pakistan Shaheen’s  Squad for their tour to Sri Lanka.

2022:

– In August, Naseem Shah made his ODI debut for Pakistan against the Netherlands.

– Later the same month, he made his T20I debut against India.

– In September, he played a crucial role in Pakistan’s T20I match against Afghanistan, scoring two sixes to help Pakistan qualify for the finals.

– He was named in Pakistan’s T20I squad for England’s tour of Pakistan in September.

– In October, he was named in Pakistan’s T20I squad for the Tri-Series in New Zealand and later for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where Pakistan reached the final but lost.

– In November, he was named in Pakistan’s Test squad for England’s tour of Pakistan but suffered a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the series.

– In December, he was named in Pakistan’s Test squad for New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan and later in the ODI squad in January 2023, where he took his second consecutive fifer in ODIs in the first ODI against New Zealand.

2023:

– In September, Naseem was ruled out of the 2023 World Cup due to an injury.

Early Career:

Naseem Shah’s cricketing journey began in Lower Dir, where he played tape ball cricket before being enrolled in the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy in Lahore at the age of 13. Under the coaching of Sulaman Qadir, he honed his skills and was selected for the Lahore Under-16 team at the age of 13 and later for the Pakistan Under-16 team at 14, showcasing his prodigious talent at a young age.

Domestic Career:

– First-Class Debut: Naseem made his first-class debut for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited in the 2018–19 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy on 1 September 2018, marking the beginning of his domestic career.

– List A Debut: He also made his List A debut for the same team in the 2018–19 Quaid-e-Azam One Day Cup on 16 October 2018, further solidifying his presence in the domestic circuit.

– Central Punjab’s Squad: In September 2019, he was named in Central Punjab’s squad for the 2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament, showcasing his potential at the domestic level.

– National T20 Cup: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recognized his talent, naming him as one of the six players to watch ahead of the 2019–20 National T20 Cup tournament. He made his Twenty20 debut for Central Punjab on 13 October 2019, in this tournament, expanding his repertoire across formats.

Franchise Career:

– PSL: Naseem Shah represented Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) from 2019 to 2023, gaining valuable experience in the premier T20 league of Pakistan. He was later traded to Islamabad United before the 2024 season, highlighting his potential and demand in franchise cricket.

Other Leagues:

His skills were also recognized internationally, as he played a crucial role in the 2021 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final, taking two crucial wickets for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, helping them secure their first CPL title.

In January 2022, he was signed by Gloucestershire County Cricket Club for the first half of the 2022 season in England. He later joined Welsh Fire for the 2022 season of The Hundred but suffered a shoulder injury in his first match, ruling him out for a month, highlighting the physical demands of his career across different leagues.