Pakistan’s pace sensation Naseem Shah has recently opened up about the reason for not letting his father watch his matches.
The young pacer is set to make his comeback in Test cricket during the first of the two-match home series against Bangladesh.
Naseem, 21, revealed in a recent interview with Cricbuzz that his father has been experiencing health issues. He mentioned that the team’s losses have been affecting his father’s health.
“There is a lot going on in a cricketer’s life behind the scenes about which people are not aware,” he said.
“My father is going through some health issues. There was a time when he did not know anything about cricket, but now he watches every ball and gets distressed when we lose.”
Naseem Shah shared that before every match, he requests his brothers to ensure that his father does not watch the game to avoid health complications.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
“So, before every big game, I ring my brothers to make sure that our father doesn’t watch it. I fear that it may lead to some bigger health complications. It [the pressure] is like I am playing two matches at once,” he added.
The young pacer acknowledged the glittery life of a cricketer, however, he stressed the importance of spending time with his family.
“You realise there was a life before cricket and there is one beyond it. The world knows you because of cricket and they will talk to you about it,” said Naseem Shah.
“But, when you are with the family, they will talk to you about other aspects of life and you realise that ‘I am not just a cricketer but I am a son of this family’. It is a good diversion from cricket.”
Naseem was named in Pakistan’s Playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh, starting tomorrow in Rawalpindi.
He will form Pakistan’s all-pace bowling attack, which includes Shaheen Shah Afridi, Khurram Shehzad and Mohammad Ali.
Pakistan’s Playing XI for the first Bangladesh Test: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Ali.
READ: Thierry Henry leaves coaching role with France youth side