Shadab Khan: “Hopefully, we’re hoping that from day one, we’ll have the same Naseem again, but we’ll also give him a fair amount of time because I know as a player it takes some time to regain form”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan said he wants to see the same dominant version of fast bowler Naseem Shah in the ongoing 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Naseem returned to action in PSL 9 after being sidelined for months with a shoulder injury he suffered during the 2023 Asia Cup.
As a result of the injury, the 21-year-old missed the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, along with Pakistan’s three-Test series against Australia and their five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Naseem was a force to be reckoned with prior to getting injured as he was taking plenty of wickets. As the captain of Islamabad United, Shadab wants the talented youngster to produce the same magic and fire on all cylinders throughout PSL 9.
“Naseem seems completely fit now. When you come back after an injury, it takes some time. Hopefully, we’re hoping that from day one, we’ll have the same Naseem again, but we’ll also give him a fair amount of time because I know as a player it takes some time to regain form,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
So far, Naseem has taken seven wickets in five matches at an average of 22.57 and an economy rate of 7.90.
As for Shadab, he has snapped up six wickets in five games at an average of 21.50 and an economy rate of 6.78.
Islamabad United Squad for PSL 9: Shadab Khan (captain), Naseem Shah, Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Tymal Mills, Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Matthew Forde, Salman Ali Agha, Qasim Akram, Shahab Khan, Hunain Shah, Ubaid Shah, Shamyl Hussain, Obed McCoy, Haider Ali, Muhammad Waseem
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