In a devastating turn of events for the Pakistan cricket team, young fast bowler Naseem Shah is facing a grim prognosis for his cricketing future. The right-arm speedster, who had shown immense promise, is set to miss the entire upcoming 50-over World Cup in India due to a troubling shoulder injury.
This injury could potentially keep him sidelined for the entire year, disrupting Pakistan’s plans across formats. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not taking this news lightly and is reportedly seeking a second opinion on Naseem Shah’s injury. However, the signs do not bode well for the 20-year-old cricketer, who might be in for a prolonged period of inactivity.
The ramifications of this injury extend beyond the World Cup, possibly impacting his participation in the Test series in Australia later this year and even the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2024.
Naseem Shah’s injury ordeal is becoming an all-too-familiar narrative in his young career. He first made headlines when he debuted for Pakistan at the tender age of 16, only to suffer a debilitating back injury just a year after his first international appearance.
This injury kept him away from all forms of cricket for a painful 14 months. Unfortunately, just six weeks after his return to action, he found himself grappling with a shoulder injury.
What makes Naseem’s situation more dire is his transformation into Pakistan’s go-to player across formats. Since making his ODI debut in August 2022, Naseem has been a standout performer, amassing an impressive tally of 32 wickets in just 14 matches at a stunning average of 16.96.
However, it’s worth noting the astonishing workload he has shouldered; only eight fast bowlers worldwide have bowled more deliveries in international cricket than Naseem’s whopping 2246 deliveries since July 2022.
Adding to the woes, it recently came to light that Naseem Shah was included in the SA20 auction list, hinting at yet another tournament he is likely to miss due to his ongoing injury concerns. This setback not only affects Naseem’s personal aspirations but also casts a shadow over Pakistan’s prospects on the global cricketing stage.