Naseem Shah eyes peak form after injury comeback, targets stronger performances

RAWALPINDI, October 15: Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah has returned to international cricket with renewed hunger and greater maturity, saying he believes his best cricket is still ahead of him after overcoming another injury setback.

Naseem made an immediate impact in

Pakistan’s opening T20I against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 9, claiming three wickets for 36 runs in four overs after a seven-month absence from international cricket.

Reflecting on his development during an interview with PCB Digital, the 23-year-old said experience had taught him to combine aggression with tactical awareness rather than relying solely on express pace.

“You do bowl express pace when you are young and new in the sport but now I think that you also need to have some sense in terms of what you are trying to do,” Naseem said.

The right-arm pacer, who will turn 24 in January, has played 93 international matches and taken 155 wickets. However, injuries have repeatedly interrupted his progress, with his latest setback coming during HBL PSL 2026 when a back injury forced him out of the tournament.

Explaining the challenges of rehabilitation, Naseem said an injury could force a player to rebuild from scratch, making patience, body awareness and medical support essential to recovery.

“You go back to zero whenever you are injured and sometimes it doesn’t even allow you to go for a run let alone going through the motions of the game,” he said, adding that a strong medical team played a crucial role during rehabilitation.

Naseem demonstrated his quality in the first T20I against Sri Lanka, dismissing Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage and Lahiru Udara to help Pakistan begin their home international season on a positive note. Although he went wicketless in the second match, his two powerplay overs cost just nine runs.

Discussing the demands of modern white-ball cricket, Naseem stressed that fast bowlers needed to develop their skills and understand batters’ mindsets to remain effective on batting-friendly surfaces.

“You have to toy with a batter’s mindset in modern-day white-ball cricket given the nature of surfaces around the world and the focus on entertainment through run-fests,” he said.

“Fast bowling is all about aggression, smartness and they both combine to make a very good combination for a pacer.”

Naseem will next feature in Pakistan’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, with the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led side set to compete in the upcoming ODI tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka.

The fast bowler has taken 60 wickets in 34 ODIs at an average of 25.91, including two five-wicket hauls. He claimed 5-33 against the Netherlands in August 2022 before taking 5-57 against New Zealand in January 2023, becoming the sixth Pakistan bowler to record at least two consecutive five-wicket hauls in the format.

The 2027 World Cup, scheduled to be held in

South Africa, presents another major target for Naseem, who missed the 2023 edition because of injury. Pakistan are scheduled to begin their campaign against Afghanistan on October 8, 2027.

Despite his achievements, Naseem believes there is still considerable room for improvement, particularly in Test cricket, where he feels he has yet to fulfil his potential.

“I feel I’m yet to play my peak cricket. Whatever the cricket I’ve played so far, especially Test cricket, I think I lacked a few things,” he said.

“My simple goal is to perform so much that there is no need to talk out loud about my goals or performances. When there are less injuries and you are bowling with good rhythm, everything falls into place itself.”

With his return to international cricket already producing encouraging signs, Naseem will look to maintain his fitness, build consistency and establish himself as a key figure in Pakistan’s plans across formats.