Ramiz Raja: “Naseem Shah is the pillar of his family and the superstar of Pakistan cricket”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has branded fast bowler Naseem Shah “the superstar of Pakistan cricket.”
Naseem has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top and has looked increasingly lethal over the past year.
The 21-year-old was in sublime form in the lead-up to the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup as he was generating plenty of swing and taking wickets regularly.
However, a shoulder injury ruled him out of the World Cup, along with Pakistan’s three-match Test series against Australia and five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
He returned during the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and looked just as good before his injury as he took 15 wickets in 11 matches for Islamabad United at an average of 22.20 and an economy rate of 7.56.
Ramiz noted that in addition to being one of Pakistan’s elite performers, Naseem has also become “the pillar of his family.”
“Naseem Shah is the pillar of his family and the superstar of Pakistan cricket,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Farid Khan on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Islamabad went on to be crowned champions in PSL 9 after defeating the Multan Sultans by two wickets in the final.
After PSL 9, Naseem featured in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand and took two wickets in three games at an average of 35.50 and an economy rate of 10.14.
He is now involved in the three-match T20I series against Ireland and has snapped up two wickets in two matches at an average of 36.50 and an economy rate of 9.12.
Following their clash against Ireland, Pakistan will play four T20Is against England from May 22 to May 30.
Pakistan Squad for Ireland and England T20I Series: Babar Azam (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan
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