Naseem Shah is the next best thing: Waqar Younis

Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah had to withdraw from National T20 Cup last year owing to a niggle. He picked up a groin injury during the Multan leg of the tournament and was not risked when the tournament moved to Rawalpindi. He then began his rehab process in National High-Performance Centre in Lahore. The former Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis however has reckoned that Shah is the next best thing in Pakistan cricket.

Younis stated that the injury had hampered the pacer’s progress. He then added that injuries are bound to happen and the bowlers have made a remarkable comeback in the past. He also heaped praises on Naseem for having bowled brilliantly in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League.

The speedster featured for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the CPL. From the seven matches he played for the team, he picked up six wickets. Younis further added that Shah has also continued his good form in domestic cricket.

“Naseem Shah is the next best thing. When he made his debut against Australia, he was just a teenager, and then, unfortunately, he got injured which hampered his progress. It is very natural for any teenage bowler to suffer from injury. Hasan Ali got injured, even I broke my back during my career. Wasim Akram also got injured but we have seen in the past that bowlers do make a strong comeback after injury and that is what he [Naseem Shah] is doing,” Waqar Younis said as quoted by CricWick.

They have the potential to do great for Pakistan: Waqar Younis

The former Pakistan pacer recounted the instance when Pakistan toured Australia for a Test match series in 2019. He asserted that playing in overseas conditions is not an easy job. Younis also backed the current fast bowlers of the team and pinned his hopes on them to do a great job for Pakistan.

“All these bowlers came on to the scene during my last stint. When I and Misbah-ul-Haq took over in 2019, we had a setback as Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz had taken retirement from Test cricket so we had no option but to trust and back the young lot.

“Going to Australia and playing a Test is not an easy job, and yes they got hammered but I feel that tour has helped them a lot as well. All of them are young and I do believe they have the potential to do great for Pakistan,” he further added