Naseem Shah speaks out against personal attacks from former cricketers

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah has voiced his concerns over the personal criticism players often face, particularly from former cricketers, following poor performances.

He emphasized the distinction between constructive criticism and unwarranted personal attacks, stating that while performance discussions are fair, comments on personal traits should be avoided.

In an Eid special video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Naseem, along with teammates like captain Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, opened up about the pressures of being under constant public scrutiny. He acknowledged that fans have the right to express opinions but found it discouraging when former players crossed personal boundaries.

“When we go home, even our own brothers sometimes make comments that make us think, ‘They’ve never played cricket,’” Naseem remarked. He stressed that while performance analysis from experienced cricketers is valuable, remarks about appearance or speech are unacceptable. “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, also featured in the discussion, echoed Naseem’s sentiments, stating that while he respects former cricketers, personal attacks should be avoided. Naseem questioned whether players should ignore the advice of these legends altogether if they continue to make unwarranted remarks.

The Pakistan team’s bowling performance has been under scrutiny following their struggles in the Champions Trophy 2025, with players like Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf facing criticism for expensive spells against New Zealand and India. Despite the backlash, Naseem remains focused on improvement, urging critics to keep discussions professional and performance-driven.