Naseem Shah’s Personal Struggle: Balancing Cricket and Father’s Health
Naseem Shah, the 21-year-old Pakistani speedster, has emerged as a rising star in the cricketing world. With 17 Tests, 14 ODIs, and 28 T20Is under his belt, Shah is widely regarded as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket. However, behind the scenes, Shah faces a personal challenge that weighs heavily on his mind.
Shah’s father, his biggest supporter, suffers from health issues. The pressure of playing cricket while knowing his father’s well-being is at stake takes a toll on Shah. Before every major match, he instructs his brothers to ensure that his father does not watch the game, fearing it could lead to further health complications.
“It’s like I’m playing two matches at once,” Shah said. “The pressure is immense.”
The India vs Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup 2024 proved to be a particularly difficult moment for Shah. Pakistan failed to chase down a modest target of 120, losing by six runs despite being in a strong position.
“There are a lot of emotions attached to such matches,” Shah said. “I didn’t expect the result to turn out the way it did. A lot of things flashed in front of me at that point… I felt the need to have someone who could talk positively to me.”
Despite not being targeted by fans or media, Shah was deeply disappointed by the loss. “I’m a person who wants to win,” he said. “I get disappointed even when I lose while playing at home or in my street. I play to win, and the World Cup exit pained me a lot.”
Shah is determined to win back the hearts of Pakistani fans with strong performances on the field. “People come up to me in restaurants and ask me why we lost,” he said. “I understand their sentiments. As a player, all I can do is listen to them.”
“There are times when you feel that you cannot put up with it anymore,” Shah added. “But, it also burns a desire for a comeback. We have an opportunity to win the hearts again by playing good cricket.”