Pakistani fast bowler Naseem Shah made a triumphant return to red-ball cricket, securing an impressive five-wicket haul – his first in four years. This stellar performance marked his first first-class appearance since the Test match against South Africa in Centurion last December. Representing Lahore Whites, Naseem’s exceptional bowling spell effectively dismantled Islamabad’s middle order on the third day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy season`s opening round. It proved to be a remarkable day for the Shah brothers, as his younger brother and teammate, Ubaid, also contributed significantly with two wickets. Together, they accounted for seven of Islamabad’s first eight dismissals, showcasing a dominant family effort that helped bowl Islamabad out for 256 runs.
Match Performance and Key Wickets
Naseem`s most spectacular dismissal was his very first of the innings, utilizing his characteristic whippy, side-on action to deliver a ball that sharply darted back in, expertly clipping the top of Rizwan Ali`s off-stump for a clean bowled. His other significant scalps included Islamabad captain Hasan Nawaz and, further down the order, his international fast-bowling colleague Haris Rauf. Despite some late resistance from Islamabad`s tail-enders, after having been reduced to a precarious 128 for 6, the team was eventually bowled out for 256. Naseem finished with outstanding individual figures of 5 for 34, while Ubaid claimed 2 for 56, underlining their combined impact on the match.
Career Milestones and History
This achievement marks Naseem Shah`s fifth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, with a significant portion of these milestones occurring early in his career. His most recent prior five-for was recorded in October 2021, when he was playing for Pakistan`s A side, the Shaheens, against a Sri Lanka A team in Pallekele. He notched his very first five-wicket haul in only his second first-class match at the tender age of 15, followed by two more as a 16-year-old. Notably, one of these was against Sri Lanka in his third Test match, a feat that made him the second-youngest player in Test history to achieve such an accomplishment.
Recent Absences and Future Outlook
Naseem has been notably absent from Pakistan`s red-ball squad since the away series in South Africa. This absence is partly due to Pakistan`s increasing preference for turning surfaces in home matches, which often favor spinners. Consequently, he was not included in the squad for the home series against West Indies, nor is he named for the upcoming home Tests against South Africa. Furthermore, he recently lost his place in Pakistan`s T20I squad and was omitted from their squad for the recent Asia Cup campaign, despite the team reaching the final. This impressive return in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, with a commanding five-wicket performance, could be a pivotal moment for his re-entry into Pakistan`s national squad across various formats, signaling his readiness for top-level competition.
