Naseem Shah breaks his silence on fitness concerns

Naseem Shah has responded to concerns about his fitness.

Naseem Shah has responded to concerns about his fitness. He is preparing for his return to competitive cricket. The pacer says injuries are simply a part of the game. According to him, they should not be seen as a sign of poor conditioning.

The 23-year-old has been out since April. He suffered a side strain while playing for Rawalpindiz in PSL 11. The injury ruled him out for the rest of that tournament. He has not played a competitive match since.

He is now set to make his comeback. The stage will be the National Champions Cup. It is a 50-over tournament featuring four teams. These are Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold. The event runs from August 11 to 18. It will be held at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Naseem has been picked for the Pakistan Greens squad. All-rounder Shadab Khan will lead the side. The tournament also plays a bigger role. It forms part of Pakistan’s build-up to the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Selectors are currently tracking a wider pool of 44 players.

Speaking to the media, Naseem explained an important distinction. He said physical fitness and match fitness are not the same thing. An injury during a match or training session does not mean a player is unfit. He added that any player can get hurt while playing.

He also spoke about workload management. He said today’s game demands careful planning from players. Cricket keeps evolving, and fast bowlers must adapt with it. This, he said, is now part of the job.

Naseem also touched on Pakistan’s fast-bowling legacy. He said success was never just about raw pace. Line and length, he explained, matter just as much as speed. He credited this balance for the team’s past bowling success.

On his own pace, Naseem stayed confident. He said he still bowls at competitive speeds. In T20 cricket, he touches close to 140 kilometres per hour. He noted that one-day cricket brings a different challenge altogether.

He ended by addressing his availability. Naseem said he is ready for any format. He added that it is not his job to choose. His only responsibility, he said, is to play whenever Pakistan calls upon him.