‘He walked in as if he was Imran Khan’ – Naseem Shah on his teammate during 2nd Test vs New Zealand

Towards the end of the second Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand on Friday, January 6, in Karachi, it was the likes of Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed who stood up for the team. Fast bowler Naseem revealed about how he was impressed by last-man Abrar’s self-assurance. Naseem claimed that Ahmed entered the field as if he was the former Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan.

An exciting draw between Pakistan and New Zealand was achieved as the hosts’ last-wicket partnership lasted for three and a half overs after Sarfaraz Ahmed’s (118) departure. Pakistan finished on 304/9 while aiming to reach a target of 319. Due to the draw, the two-game series ended 0-0 and the Pakistani camp’s poor run at home in Tests continued. Abrar chimed in and remarked that his batting partner had improved his spirits and given him faith that they might win the Test.

I told Southee, if you keep the same field, I will go for the chase: Naseem Shah

“Naseem told me, ‘have belief in yourself. I have seen you in the nets. You bat well, especially against spinners. He told me to face the leg-spinner since, being one myself, I can read the googly and flipper. He decided to play the off-spinner. That was our discussion,” said the right-arm leg spinner.

Abrar went on to say that they could have even won the Test if they had a few wickets left with them. “If we had wickets in hand, we could have chased the target with one-two overs to spar,” stated the spinner. Naseem took on Michael Bracewell in the 89th over even though Pakistan was nine down and smacked him for a six and a four. The fast bowler described an intriguing conversation he had with Kiwi captain Southee.

“I told Southee, if you keep the same field, I will go for the chase. But he sent the fielders back after that four and six. Then I decided I wouldn’t go for it and a draw would be best,” the Pakistan speedster told the Blackcaps skipper. As the Test came to a close, Naseem also acknowledged that he was feeling uneasy in the middle of the field. “You work hard over five days and then it comes down to the last 20-30 minutes, whether we can survive on not or even push for victory,” asserted the pacer.