The second ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan in Hamilton turned into an extended affair, largely due to Pakistan’s resilient tailenders—most notably, young pacer Naseem Shah. The 21-year-old grabbed the spotlight not only with the ball but also with the bat, scoring a sensational maiden ODI half-century as a concussion substitute for Haris Rauf, who suffered a blow to the head from a Will O’Rourke bouncer earlier in the match.
Coming in at number ten, Naseem displayed remarkable composure and flair, smashing 51 runs off 44 balls, including four fours and four sixes. His entertaining knock delayed Pakistan’s inevitable 84-run defeat but gave fans a rare moment of celebration in an otherwise disappointing game for the visitors. His powerful strokeplay, especially with no scoreboard pressure, left the crowd in awe and showed once again the depth of his all-round capabilities.
Pakistan were rocked early in their chase, as New Zealand’s pace duo of Jacob Duffy and Will O’Rourke wreaked havoc with the new ball. Mohammad Rizwan took a few nasty blows before being dismissed by Ben Sears, who also removed Agha Salman in a fiery spell. Faheem Ashraf fought back with a gritty half-century before Naseem Shah joined him at the crease.
The twist in the tale came when Naseem was drafted in mid-game as a concussion substitute for Rauf, marking a rare scenario in international cricket. Despite being a replacement, Naseem showed no signs of pressure and entertained fans with his fearless batting.
Off the field, Naseem has also been in the news recently for his candid take on the growing culture of personal criticism faced by players, especially from former cricketers. In a special Eid video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Naseem spoke alongside teammates Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman about the emotional toll such remarks can take.
“You can discuss someone’s performance—how they bowl or bat—but commenting on personal traits like someone’s hairstyle or manner of speaking crosses the line,” Naseem said, expressing frustration over personal comments from ex-cricketers and even close circles. He added that while he respects constructive feedback, comments on one’s appearance or speech go too far and can be deeply hurtful.
Fakhar Zaman backed Naseem’s thoughts, noting the importance of critique being limited to on-field performance and not drifting into personal territory. The discussion comes at a time when the Pakistan bowling unit, including Naseem himself, has faced criticism after underwhelming displays in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Despite the pressure and scrutiny, Naseem remains focused on improving and contributing to the team. His Hamilton heroics—both with the bat and in his poise under scrutiny—stand as testament to the evolving maturity of this young star.
