Watch: Naseem Shah gets emotional on his way pack to the dugout
Naseem was having a debut to remember but the heat and humidity of Dubai got to him.
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Aug 30, 2022 11:11 am
Naseem Shah (Image source- Twitter)
When India began their run chase in the Asia Cup match against Pakistan on August 28, eyes were on Naseem Shah who was making his T20I debut. In a format that is considered harsh for bowlers, the young pacer was given the new ball and he was right on the money from ball one.
On the second ball of his first over, he got rid of India’s vice-captain KL Rahul and got his maiden T20I wicket. He then maintained constant pressure on the veteran duo of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam called him in the 15th over to break the threatening fourth-wicket partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. He did not disappoint his skipper and rattled Suryakumar’s stumps on his second ball of the second spell.
Naseem was having a debut to remember but the heat and humidity of Dubai got to him. He was in a lot of pain in his final over. However, the 19-year-old showed incredible grit and determination to complete his last over.
In the 17th over of the match, the promising teenager was bowling to a well-set Ravindra Jadeja. He went down a lot of times in pain but despite all the troubles, he beat the batter’s bat thrice in the over. Also, he almost got Jadeja’s wicket in the fourth delivery but the DRS saved the southpaw. The young seamer, while he was about to deliver his last ball of the over, could barely stand but still managed to bowl a 142 km/h delivery to end his spell.
The valiant efforts of the fast-bowler were not enough to get his side home as India aced the chase in 19.4 overs. The Pakistan Pacer was hailed for his show with the ball. A video went viral where Naseem was seen wiping his tears on his way back to the dressing room. The support staff of the Men in Green were present on the staircase to greet the young seamer on his memorable T20I debut.
Naseem ended his spell with amazing figures of 2 for 27 in four overs. After the match, the Pakistan skipper lauded Naseem for his bowling and also erased doubts over a serious injury to the pacer. “He (Naseem) is a very young bowler but bowled so well, and showed so much aggression. He is fine. They were just cramps,” Babar said.
