Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah remains with the team to play the ODI against Sri Lanka, despite assailants attacking his family home in Lower Dir. The only good thing is that no family member is reported to be injured.
The Pakistan team is largely dependent on their three fast bowlers who form the backbone of their attack, with Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz being the only spinners in the team. However, it cannot be denied that Sam Ayub has performed very well with the ball in recent times, often bowling with the new ball alongside captain Shaheen Afridi.
Nevertheless, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah remain the three most sought-after players in the team. Unfortunately, Rauf was suspended for two matches in the South Africa ODI series after the ICC found him guilty with 4 demerit points.
Naseem Shah to remain with Pakistan for Sri Lanka ODI despite attack on family residence
On Monday morning, ANI reported an attack on the family residence of Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah in Lower Dir. It was reported that unidentified assailants opened fire at the gate of his family’s house and then fled from the spot.
It was told that no member of the family was injured in the attack and the police immediately started investigation. However, it is not yet known who was in the residence at the time of the attack and what was the intention of the attackers.
However, the Pakistan fast bowler is unaffected by the incident and is staying with the Pakistan team to participate in the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. The three-match ODI series is scheduled to be played from today, November 11, and the attacks took place yesterday, November 10.
Pakistan has included Naseem Shah in the ODI and T20 tri-series squad.
The Sri Lanka home series will mark his arrival in the nation after a period of almost 6 years. ODI matches will be played between 11 and 15 November. This will be followed by a T20 triangular series in which Zimbabwe will be the third team to participate after Afghanistan withdrew from the competition.
Pakistan won T20 and ODI series against South Africa
Naseem Shah has been selected for both the T20 tri-series and the ODI series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. This series will be their second home series, with the focus now slowly shifting to T20Is with the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026.
Pakistan defeated the previous T20 World Cup finalist South Africa in the 3-match T20 series and then in the ODI series by a 2-1 margin. After the home series ends, the Pakistan team has planned a series against Sri Lanka in the island nation, as they will be the official hosts of all Pakistan’s matches in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Also read: BCCI President intervened in the selection matter to save the career of Mohammed Shami.