Issues and Pakistan cricket, somehow go hand in hand, be it with the PCB, or the players. Now, fast bowler Naseem Shah has spoken about the culture of insecurity in the national team, highlighting that the senior pros are afraid of taking breaks, punishing their bodies.
In fact, he took his own example, and how he was afraid of losing his place, due to an injury. “Honestly, the main players are afraid of giving their bodies rest even when they know they need a break because the Pakistan cricket culture is such that if a new player comes in and performs in a match or two, you don’t know if he will replace you permanently in the team,” Shah told Cricwick.
“This fear does not allow players to rest because you are scared your careers could end there,” he said. “In other countries, if a main player is given a break he is assured he will not be dropped in case his replacement comes in and performs in a match or two,” he said.
Naseem added, that his injury was aggravated during the Bangladesh match in Asia Cup, but went on to play the encounter against India as well, where he left the proceedings midway. “I had stiffness in my shoulder but after warm-ups it would get better and I played through it. But during the Asia Cup, I had a tear and felt something tearing inside me,” he said.
