Naseem seeks peak form after injury setbacks

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 made an immediate impact on his return to international cricket on Friday, October 9, taking three wickets in Pakistan's opening T20 international against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.The right-arm paceman, playing his first international….

In February 2020, during only his fourth match for Pakistan, he became the youngest bowler to take a Test hat-trick, achieving the feat against Bangladesh at the age of 16 years and 359 days.Injuries, however, have repeatedly interrupted his progress during a seven-year international career.

One of his biggest disappointments was missing the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, while a back injury sustained during the 2026 Pakistan Super League ruled him out of the tournament.Reflecting on the challenges of rehabilitation, Naseem said injuries could force players to start again from scratch.“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….

It is also critical how well you understand your body during those times.

Being surrounded by a good medical team also helps.”Naseem's return against Sri Lanka offered encouraging signs.

He first induced an edge from visiting captain Kusal Mendis with a 136.9kph delivery, which was caught at third man.As Sri Lanka looked to accelerate in the closing stages, he uprooted Dunith Wellalage's leg stump with a 141.9kph delivery before dismissing Lahiru Udara two balls later, with the batter caught at long-on attempting to hit a yorker.Although he went wicketless in the second T20 international, Naseem conceded only nine runs….

The competition will form part of Pakistan's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, where Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to lead the side.Pakistan begin their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on October 8, 2027, and Naseem will be eager to secure a place at his first senior ICC World Cup after missing the 2023 tournament.He has taken 60 wickets in 34 ODIs at an average of….

His two five-wicket hauls came in consecutive matches: 5-33 against the Netherlands in August 2022 and 5-57 against New Zealand in January 2023.The achievement made him only the sixth Pakistan bowler to take at least two consecutive five-wicket hauls in the format.Despite his achievements, Naseem believes his best cricket is still ahead of him.“I feel I'm yet to play my peak cricket.

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

When there are fewer injuries and you are bowling with good rhythm, everything falls into place itself.”

Naseem seeks peak form after injury setbacks Sports Desk | Updated 7 minutes ago | The pacer returns to the Pakistan team after a seven-month absence.