If people would ask me who is the current best bowler of team Pakistan, what would be my answer? Shaheen Shah Afridi? Maybe yes. But the level at which Naseem Shah has been bowling across formats for the past year, he has been menacing with his accurate line and length. Naseem Shah’s injury has rattled Pakistan’s pace attack.
It was a fairytale pace attack with everyone praising and in awe of the dream trio. The injury came at the worst possible time with the ICC World Cup 2023 less than a month away. Certainly a big glow to Pakistan’s title hopes who are looking to achieve World Cup glory after 31 years.
Naseem Shah’s Injury
Naseem Shah injured his shoulder against India in the Super 4 game which eventually ruled him out of the Asia Cup 2023 and subsequently the World Cup. Naseem went off in the 49th over of India’s innings on the reserve day with an injury to his bowling shoulder. He also didn’t come out to bat in Pakistan’s innings.
PCB then released a statement saying, “Naseem continues to be monitored by the team’s medical panel that is taking all necessary precautions keeping in mind the ODI World Cup, which starts in less than a month.” He was then ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 and was replaced by Zaman Khan in the squad.
At the time, the PCB had said that Rauf and Naseem had not been ruled out of the tournament and would remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel. The board called it “only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players” ahead of the World Cup.
After the bitter defeat against the co-hosts Sri Lanka, the captain Babar Azam revealed that Naseem might miss the initial matches of the World Cup due to his injury. Naseem was still undergoing scans in Dubai for his right shoulder and reports revealed that he would miss the World Cup and the Australia tour as well depending upon his recovery.
PCB decided to go for a second opinion regarding Naseem’s injured shoulder and that’s why the squad announcement of the World Cup also took a lot of time. But with no encouraging signs in sight, fans’ worst nightmare came true and Naseem was ruled out of the mega competition in a significant blow to Pakistan’s pace bowling. With the injuries to Ihsanullah and Hasnain, PCB decided to bring back the veteran pacer Hasan Ali as a replacement.
Also read: Diagnosing Fakhar Zaman’s World Cup place in the XI. Justified?
Workload
For the past year, Naseem Shah’s rise has been quite evident. In the 18 months since his workload has increased significantly. While only a red-ball player at the time, Naseem has become a crucial bowler for Pakistan across all three formats. He is their most potent bowler since making his ODI debut, with 32 wickets in 14 matches at under 17. This is a serious figure considering Pakistan plays its matches on batting-friendly pitches at home.
With no signs of rest, Naseem played in Sri Lanka two match test series followed by LPL 2023 where he complained about the pain in his right shoulder but it was ignored. Then all three ODI’s against Afghanistan followed by the unfortunate Asia Cup.
With no signs of rest and the extensive traveling involved in this hybrid Asia Cup model, perhaps PCB should’ve been more careful about their premier fast bowlers before the World Cup.
A similar blow to Waqar Younis in the 1992 World Cup
The only silver lining in these dark times for Pakistan fans is that Waqar Younis at 20 was also ruled out of the World Cup-winning campaign of the 1992 World Cup. He broke his finger and was ruled out of the tournament in a very significant blow to Pakistan as he was to pair with Wasim Akram to share the new ball to form a fiery pace duo.
Similarly, Naseem Shah at 20, has also been ruled out of the tournament after injuring his right shoulder. He was to form a menacing duo with Shaheen Afridi with the new ball.
Recovery Time
The reports sent to PCB claim that Naseem Shah needs surgery on his shoulder and that would keep him out for 3-4 months to fully recover. The PCB mentioned that Naseem has been advised to undergo surgery after comprehensive medical assessments and consultations with medical experts.
“Following thorough medical examinations and consultations with leading medical experts, Naseem Shah has been advised to undergo surgery. He is expected to recover in three to four months,” the board said in a statement released.
“Naseem Shah is a key bowler for us, but he’s injured,” PCB chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq told reporters in Lahore on the squad announcement. “Unfortunately, the report we have from our doctors, we hear Naseem will be out for a longer time than just the World Cup. At this time, he was the world’s best bowler in my view. It’s a loss for Pakistan. We hope he’s fit soon.”
Pakistan’s pace attack will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and he will be supported by Haris Rauf, Mohammed Waseem, and Hasan Ali in a largely unchanged side led by Babar Azam.
Let’s hope Naseem Shah recovers in time to play in the important away 3-match WTC Test series against Australia in December 2023.
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