Rawalpindiz’s difficult season took another knock on Tuesday when Naseem Shah left the field nursing a sore left knee during the Pakistan Super League match against Islamabad United. The 23-year-old dived to his left in the 16th over to prevent a boundary, landed awkwardly on the outfield, and stayed down for several minutes while the physios assessed the damage. A stretcher was brought on as a precaution, yet Naseem eventually limped off with assistance, head bowed, his evening with the ball finished after just two tidy overs.
“Naseem Shah is out of the field because of [a] knee injury he has suffered while fielding,” a short Rawalpindiz statement confirmed. “The medical team is assessing his condition.” There was no immediate word on scans or recovery time.
Before the mishap the fast bowler, returning from a minor back complaint, had looked sharp enough. He conceded only nine runs in his first two overs and removed the left-hander Mohammad Faiq, giving Rawalpindiz early momentum as they tried — and ultimately managed — to keep United to a modest 137.
Even so, the stop-start nature of Naseem’s tournament continues. Only a fortnight ago he was fined a record PKR 20 million after a social-media post that appeared to criticise Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz. Naseem put the post down to a hacked account and promptly sacked his social-media manager, but the episode has lingered in the headlines. On his next appearance he felt a twinge in his back and was unable to finish his spell.
All this has played out against a grim backdrop for Rawalpindiz, still winless after eight matches and already out of the playoff race. Coaches have spoken privately of maintaining standards and giving younger players exposure, yet any long-term plan surely features a fully fit Naseem at its heart.
The nature of knee injuries means timelines can vary. A straightforward strain might be managed with ice and rest; ligament damage could threaten the rest of the season. Until scans clarify the picture, Rawalpindiz and Pakistan supporters alike will hold their breath.
