Naseem Shah criticises personal attacks from former cricketers
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Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah has voiced his concerns over the personal criticism players often face, particularly from former cricketers, following poor performances.
In an Eid special video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Naseem, alongside players like captain Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, discussed the pressure of being under constant scrutiny in the public eye.
Naseem highlighted the difference between constructive criticism and personal attacks, stressing that while it's natural for fans to voice their opinions, unwarranted remarks from former players are discouraging.
He explained that while he understood fans expressing their thoughts, personal comments on appearance or speech were beyond acceptable limits.
"When we go home, even our own brothers sometimes make comments that make us think, 'They've never played cricket,'" Naseem remarked, emphasising the importance of constructive feedback for players to improve their skills.
The young fast bowler acknowledged the value of performance analysis from experienced cricketers but warned against crossing personal boundaries. He stated, "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."
Fakhar Zaman, who was also featured in the video, expressed respect for former cricketers but supported Naseem's views on avoiding personal remarks.
Naseem questioned whether players should ignore these legends, even if they have valuable advice to offer.
While acknowledging that fans' emotional reactions are part of the sport, Naseem reiterated that comments unrelated to performance could be hurtful, especially when coming from those with years of experience.
He concluded, "If you've played cricket for 15 years and still make comments that have nothing to do with the game, it does hurt."
The Pakistan team's bowling performance has recently been under heavy scrutiny following their disappointing outings in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Players such as Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf have been criticised for expensive spells, conceding significant runs in their matches against New Zealand and India. Despite the backlash, Naseem remains focused on constructive improvement and the importance of keeping the discussion around cricket professional and performance-driven.
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