KARACHI: Pakistan’s young pacer – Naseem Shah, who is representing Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), recalled his struggling journey, revealed he used to bowl without shoes.

Naseem, in an exclusive interview with ARY Sports, revealed that the 18-years-old used to bowl without shoes and also sustained injuries in the early days of his cricketing career.

“I used to bowl without shoes, and sometimes started bleeding from the injuries caused by the rocks,” he said.

Coming from a mountainous region – Dir, Naseem claimed there is a lot of talent in the city, while the city also lacks cricket facilities. The young pacer, however, hopes to make a cricket academy in his hometown.

“There is a lot of talent in Dir but at the same time the city lacks the facilities for cricket,” he said.

“The intention is to set up an academy soon. There are many fast bowlers like me who awaits the opportunity,” he added.

Recalling his early days, Naseem disclosed that he kept his family members unaware of him playing cricket.

“I used to go and play cricket without letting my family know. My father used to hate cricket,” he said.

He however disclosed that his father has now begun to understand the sport since his entry to the national side.

“With me making my debut to Pakistan team, my father has now understood the game of cricket,” he said.

Naseem went on to say that he would have been playing the tape call cricket until now if he was not advised to move to Lahore, while the pacer also aims to have a long and clean career for the country.

It is worth mentioning here that Naseem is the youngest bowler to take a Test hat-trick. He achieved the remarkable feat in 2019 in the home series against Bangladesh. He has also taken 20 wickets in nine Test matches.

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