RAWALPINDI: Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah is looking to excel in the forthcoming ODI tri-nation series on home soil following an impressive comeback in international cricket after seven months in the recently-concluded T20 series against Sri Lanka.

In the first T20 against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, right-armer Naseem took just five legitimate deliveries to bag the first scalp and registered figures of 3-36. Pakistan went on to win the three-match series 2-1 in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

The pacer, who will be 24 in February next year, has an experience of 93 international matches across all formats, in which he has grabbed 155 wickets, reflected on his early days at the top level.

“You change a lot as a human being and a cricketer [as you age] with maturity levels and experience enhancing,” the pacer said in an interview with the PCB Digital.

“You also learn a lot through ups and downs in the life. 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 has been no stranger to spend time on the sidelines due to injury in his seven-year career with the major miss being the 2023 ICC World Cup. The latest setback came in the PSL 2026 as he suffered a back injury, which ruled him out of the tournament.

MANAGING INJURY TIMES

Talking about his experience of bouncing back from injuries, Naseem said, “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. The rehabilitation programme then becomes important. It is also critical how well you understand your body during those times. Being surrounded by a good medical team also helps.”

In the second T20 against Sri Lanka, though Naseem could not get a wicket, his two overs in powerplay only yielded nine runs, setting the tone for Sri Lanka’s eventual capitulation in the massive 216-run chase.

“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]. One ought to become more skillful and developed as a bowler in these times,” said Naseem when asked how can a bowler reap success in contemporary cricket.

Naseem is also part of Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka. With the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led outfit set to kick-start their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Naseem would certainly be eager to impress in that format as well and finally make it to his maiden 50-over World Cup next year.

“I feel I am yet to play my peak cricket. Whatever the cricket I’ve played so far especially Test cricket, I think I lacked a few things,” Naseem said. “My simple goal is to perform so much that there is no need to talk out loud about my goals or performances.”

MAAZ ‘PREPARING’ FOR 2027 WORLD CUP

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s exuberant top-order batter Maaz Sadaqat is eyeing next year’s 50-over World Cup.

The southpaw may have missed out on selection for the upcoming ODI tri-series featuring England and Sri Lanka, but the swashbuckling left-hander has his sights firmly set on next year’s World Cup.

The 21-year-old made a strong impression on the international stage in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, scoring consecutive half-centuries in the first two matches.

Maaz’s impressive run, however, will have to wait for another opportunity to continue in Pakistan colours, with the batter left out of the ODI squad despite having featured in six matches in the format, including his debut, earlier this year.

The reasons behind his omission from the squad for the upcoming tri-series remain unclear. The break, however, offers him an opportunity to refine his game with the 2027 World Cup in mind.

“I am targeting the ODI World Cup and I am preparing for it,” the Peshawar-born Maaz said in his interview released by the PCB Digital on Thursday. “I have a 15-20-day window coming up which I am going to dedicate to working on myself for the World Cup.”

POSITIVE INTENT

Maaz believes the key to his progress lies in strengthening his natural game rather than focusing excessively on his weaknesses.

“[In training] I try to work as much as I can on my strengths and less on my weaknesses, because if the ball is out of my range, I’d still be able to push it for a single or two,” he said. “However, if it is in my range, then I can hit it for six with my eyes closed.”

“If you watch both my Caribbean Premier League season and international knocks, I keep a positive intent from the very start. And if the ball comes in my range then I don’t spare it. And when a ball is a bit here or there, I try to rotate the strike.”

A place in Pakistan’s squad for the 2027 World Cup would put Maaz in contention for an opening slot alongside Saim Ayub, who is averaging nearly 47, and experienced campaigner Fakhar Zaman.

Maaz, however, views the competition for places as a challenge rather than a setback.

“Even if I am asked to bat lower in the order, I’ll try to bat so well that they [team management] are forced to push me higher,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2026