The crack of leather on willow, the thud of ball against pad, and the roar of the crowd – these are the familiar sounds of red-ball cricket. But for Pakistan`s young pace sensation, Naseem Shah, these sounds have been somewhat distant in the longer format of the game. Until now. Marking his formidable return to first-class cricket, Shah delivered a performance that wasn`t just impressive; it was a resounding statement, a classic five-wicket haul in the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
After a hiatus from the red-ball arena since last December`s Test against South Africa, Naseem Shah stepped onto the field for Lahore Whites with a point to prove. The anticipation was palpable, and he did not disappoint. On the third day of the first round, his whippy, side-on action unleashed a barrage of sharp, accurate deliveries that systematically dismantled Islamabad`s middle order. This wasn`t merely a return; it was a re-affirmation of the prodigious talent that first caught the world`s attention.
The highlight of his spell arrived early, with a delivery that epitomized the art of fast bowling. Utilizing his natural movement, Shah got the ball to dart back in, perfectly clipping the top of off-stump to clean up Rizwan Ali. It was a classic fast bowler`s dismissal, executed with precision and pace. But he didn`t stop there. He claimed the crucial wicket of Islamabad captain Hasan Nawaz and later, somewhat ironically, dismissed his international fast-bowling comrade Haris Rauf, as Islamabad`s tail attempted a valiant resistance after being reduced to 128 for 6. Ultimately, Islamabad was bundled out for 256, with Naseem`s figures reading an exceptional 5 for 34.
This performance was a family affair, a testament to raw talent running in the Shah bloodline. Naseem`s younger brother, Ubaid Shah, also contributed significantly, chipping in with two wickets for Lahore Whites (2 for 56). Together, the brothers accounted for seven of Islamabad`s first eight wickets, creating a formidable bowling partnership that speaks volumes about the depth of fast-bowling talent emerging from Pakistan. It`s almost as if the opposition faced a double dose of `Shah` brilliance – a formidable challenge for any batting lineup.
For Naseem, this isn`t his first five-wicket rodeo in first-class cricket; it marks his fifth such achievement. However, many of his previous hauls, including his debut five-for at just 15, and a Test five-for at 16 (making him the second-youngest to do so in Test history), came early in his career. His most recent before this one was in October 2021 for Pakistan`s `A` side, the Shaheens. His recent journey has seen him omitted from Pakistan`s Test squad for home series, often due to pitches favoring spin, and even from the T20I squad, including the recent Asia Cup where Pakistan reached the final.
This dominant display in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy serves as a timely reminder of Naseem Shah`s capabilities, particularly with the red ball. In an era where white-ball heroics often overshadow the grind of longer formats, Naseem`s return to form in first-class cricket is a vital development. It forcefully puts his name back into contention for national selection across formats, demonstrating that his pace, skill, and wicket-taking ability are undiminished. The selectors now have a compelling, on-field argument staring them straight in the face. With performances like this, it seems the roaring return of Naseem Shah is truly underway.
