Asia Cup 2023: Naseem Shah Hits Out At Aaqib Javed's Zaman Khan Comment, Massive Controversy Erupts

Pakistani fast bowler, Naseem Shah hit out at former Pakistan coach, Aaqib Javed who had compared the pacer with Zaman Khan and said that the latter has better abilities in white-ball cricket.

Earlier, Aaqib Javed had said that Zaman Khan has better skills in limited-over cricket and that he is more effective in white-ball cricket. While making the comparison, Javed said that he rank Zaman higher than Naseem Shah.

“In white-ball cricket, the skills that Zaman Khan has, we have recently been in Canada, I think he is one of the best death ball bowlers in the world right now. I rate him higher than Naseem in white-ball cricket,” Aaqib Javed said earlier.

While speaking on a YouTube channel, Naseem Shah was asked about Aaqib’s remark on him, when the 20-year-old said that he himself never said that he is better than someone.

Naseem Shah further added that he never compared himself with anyone else rather than trying to make himself a better bowler. Shah mentioned that he always gave his best to help his side to win matches.

“Have I ever said that I am a good bowler or am I better than someone? Look, everyone is better than me, I have never put an emphasis that I have to become better in comparison to others, I have always tried to win matches for my side and get wickets for my side. I have always tried to become a better bowler instead of comparing myself to others,” Naseem Shah replied to Aaqib Javed.

So some rest was needed: Naseem Shah on his injury rumors

Earlier there were reports that Naseem Shah was injured before the start of Asia Cup 2023, however, the player himself opened up on the topic and clarified to the fans and said that he needed a break from continuously which is why he did not play the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 match between Colombo Strikers and Galle Titans.

“There is no injury or anything like that. I have been playing a lot of cricket recently, including the Sri Lanka Tests and back-to-back matches (in the LPL),” the 20-year-old said as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

“In this weather, it is very tiring, so some rest was needed. Babar also said that it would be better to take some rest because we have important matches coming up,” Naseem Shah added.

Pakistan will play in the inaugural match of the tournament against Nepal on Wednesday (August 30). The high-voltage match between India and Pakistan will take place on September 2nd at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.