Pakistan’s fast bowler, Naseem Shah, has shared his thoughts on Pakistan’s heartbreaking loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, highlighting the emotional impact of the narrow six-run defeat and how deeply it affected him.
Despite delivering an impressive bowling performance with figures of 3-21, including the key wicket of Virat Kohli, Shah struggled to come to terms with the outcome.
With Pakistan needing 16 runs from the final three deliveries, Shah stepped up to bat. Although he managed to hit two boundaries, the match had already slipped away. In an interview with Cricbuzz, Shah reflected on the emotional toll of such high-pressure games.
“There are a lot of emotions attached to such matches. I didn’t expect the result to turn out how it did. Some things you keep to yourself, and at that moment, a lot of thoughts flashed before me,” Shah shared. “There have been very few times in my life when I’ve felt the need for someone to talk positively to me.”
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Shah’s intense desire to win makes it difficult for him to find solace in his individual performance when the team falls short. “Even though I wasn’t targeted by fans or the media, it’s hard to be satisfied with just doing your part when the team loses. I’m someone who plays to win. Losing, whether at home or in the street, disappoints me. The World Cup exit was very painful for me,” he admitted.
The fast bowler also spoke about the collective disappointment from fans and even relatives. “People come up to me in restaurants and ask why we lost. Even my relatives have questioned me about it. I understand their sentiments, which are often fueled by social media, and as a player, all I can do is listen,” he added.
Despite the frustration, Shah is determined to use the setback as motivation for a comeback. “There are times when you feel you can’t bear it anymore, but it also ignites a desire for a strong return. People had many questions, and there was a lot of frustration, which is understandable. Now, we have a chance to win hearts again by playing good cricket,” he concluded.
