'Don't underestimate me', Naseem Shah warns England
48
Teenage fast-bowling sensation Naseem Shah warned England on Wednesday not to underestimate him in the upcoming Test series, saying it would be their “big loss” if they do.
Shah has risen to phenomenal heights in international cricket since making his debut last year aged 16, and will be the key bowler in the three-Test series starting August 5.
Read: Younis Khan appointed Pakistan's batting coach for England tour
During December's series against Sri Lanka, he became the youngest fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Test cricket, at age 16 years and 311 days.
Shah said that while he only knows the name of one England player — skipper Joe Root — from the test squad, the team should not take him lightly.
“If they treat me like a small kid, it will be their big loss,” Shah told reporters.
“Age doesn't matter, it's my bowling that matters — so they need to take me seriously.”
The squad is set to fly to England at the end of the month and will spend 14 days in mandatory quarantine before starting practice in “bio-secure” facilities.
Shah is likely to pair with Shaheen Shah Afridi, the 6-foot, 6-inch paceman who now plays for Pakistan in all three cricketing formats since making his debut in 2018.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (48) Closed
Jun 17, 2020 05:29pm
Did Fazal Mahmood ever boosted like this kid? He destroyed the cream of England batting at oval by taking 12 wickets in the match. His selectors should give him a talk, keep your mouth shut.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 05:30pm
This is the problem with our players, they get involved in media publicity. Instead of saying things like this, he should be concentrating on improving his skills. Once a players self promotes himself, a lot is expected from him. And if he fails to deliver, he is pushed aside. Naseem is 16 years old, he has his whole career in front of him. It would be a shame to see him not grow to his full potential.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 05:37pm
Please focus on your game. Do not make headlines. Down to earth players always respect the opponent players and teams.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 05:37pm
Why do Pakistanis brag so much? All that Nasim Shah has to do is to shut up and to show by his bowling what he is capable of.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 05:51pm
I think he deserves a place in PM’s cabinet as he can talk. Let your actions do the talking mate unlike PM Khan
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 06:03pm
Don't speak such big and boastful words so soon little boy. Be humble.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 06:09pm
Like his confidence. Lets hope he deliver the goods
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 06:13pm
Cool down and be in low profile, you are not the one with talent. Cricket and it’s fixing has been exposed so nobody has charm in competitive games. Remain humble, we have seen Amir and others tumbling g down
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 06:21pm
Let your bowling do the talking, let it be a surprise
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 06:22pm
Actions speak louder than words boy .... Keep quiet and keep performing
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 06:25pm
He needs to talk less, and focus on improving his bowling. He is also very disrespectful towards senior players of opposition which shows that he lacks any kind of training or manners. He needs to focus on grooming and less on showing off
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 06:25pm
He was not 16. He could not be selected for Under 19 team because our cricket body feared someone may challenge his age. But, he is a GOOD fast bowler. Age has nothing to do with how well he will function in future. Do not put undue pressure on him. Let him thrive on his own or we will put another player in the dust as is our wont.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 06:58pm
Very disappointing to read these comments. A 16/17 year bowler at the start of his career should not be so arrogant as to admit not knowing the names of his opponents (who happen to be world champions). Furthermore, why does he feel the need to talk himself big - shouldn’t he let his bowling and performances speak for themselves? First failure on the part of the team and board management of a young talent - not for the first time in Pakistani cricket I am afraid.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 07:17pm
People with real skills seldom talk.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 07:26pm
We got thrashed in Aus. Same thing can happen in England. Be humble.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 07:28pm
He needs to shut up, play and let his bowling do the talking. His team leadership needs to come down hard on him to teach him a lesson. If they don't, team has bigger problems.
Completely arrogant, naive. Hope he learns from this mistake and get his head straight.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 07:45pm
Seriously?
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 08:10pm
That is the issue with most of our players. At such a young age, shah must refrain himself from making such tall claims. He should focus on the game and work hard relentlessly in this cut throat competition. English media will be exaggerating his speed and skills which might affect his natural performance.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 08:10pm
As if you take 10 wickets in each innings!!!
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 08:11pm
Hey,firstly you prove yourself.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 08:11pm
Some may criticise but i would say its phychologocal egde. But young chap dont loss humbelness and patience which is a real strength for every fight. Best of luck, you havr long way to go so its good to remain calm
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 08:11pm
@Khizer Ahmed, you are right.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 08:16pm
@Khizer Ahmed, Nothing wrong with his comments, when Pak visit NZ or Australia, the commenttors, don't even know the player names, and they refer to them as "this/that fella", and they make so many mistakes when naming people in the field.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 08:46pm
@Khizer Ahmed, Don't be so serious, this is just pre tournament strategy many players comment like this.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 10:30pm
Why can't you overestimate me like you did to Amir?
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 10:38pm
Well Said Naseem. Be aware England !
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 10:49pm
Bad start. He will remain unfit and would granb 2 wickets in entire series.
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 11:43pm
Not good
Recommend
0
Jun 17, 2020 11:54pm
Calm down kid.. played two games and already bouncing comments. Go prove your skills first!
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 12:16am
Let his on-the-field performance do the "talking" instead of rhetoric and hollow talks.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 03:16am
I think he is in for a rude awakening. Be humble, keep your head down, keep your mouth shut and let your talent do the talking.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 04:43am
As an indian lover of pace bowling, i am looking forward to seeing NS, what an awesome talent....combined with shaheen afridi and the other teenage pace guy hasnein , you guys have the nucleus of an awesome pace attack....good luck from an indian fan in the england series..
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 05:11am
Its best to keep these comments for later on. First make yourself visible and consistently perform before passing such statements. Dont be like Umer Akmal who talks big as if his batting figures match with Kholi.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 05:26am
Let your bowling do the talking.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 05:46am
This happens when you arrange Shoaib Akhtar's Zoom mentoring sessions....
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 05:52am
Please be humble. Let your bowling talk.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 07:00am
He is far from being a world bowler.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 07:03am
This kid has big ego. What if he remains wicketless, will he say the same thing? He should focus only and only on his bowling.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 07:23am
Naseem be quite and let others talk when you do well. Silence in your case is indeed golden. Take my words for free it will help you. Wishing you lots of success.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 07:37am
Fast bowlers should have aggression, confidence and passion along with skills.
He is under waqar, hope things go well.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 07:41am
This boy is talking like Shoib Akhtar ..first he has to perform outside the Pakistan and then say . world will listen to you if you perform well not now.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 08:03am
Alright, the English team will take you as a big kid. After all you are a teenager, and will be considered as a kid. You know baby of the team, however you bowl like a Leopard, tearing into the batsmen. Good luck, young man.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 08:34am
Lack of education
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 08:40am
That's really a good spirit shown by this lad. Good luck Naseem Shah. You must learn to respect opponents while you play with them. Respect for respect. Actions speak louder than words.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 09:47am
Be humble.(Texas)
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 12:37pm
@Khizer Ahmed, Please hear the interview on Youtube and find out the facts.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 03:12pm
This boy definitely has the talent and bowling skills how many of the domestic bowlers have been able to deliver at this level.He will grow and will be a great prospect for Pakistan cricket he must have been given the confidence to speak in public which he did.... so there is nothing wrong in it keeping in mind he is too young to be the part of Pakistan team with exceptional talent as we all some of his glimpse in Australia.
Recommend
0
Jun 18, 2020 03:47pm
He has genuine speed and even the best batsmen are not comfortable against express deliveries. With some more control he will do well on English wickets.
Recommend
0
