Pakistan pace sensation Naseem Shah’s turbulent season has taken another blow, as the fast bowler has been ruled out of the remainder of PSL 2026 after suffering a side strain, adding to a growing list of fitness and off-field concerns surrounding the young cricketer.
Shah was part of The Rawalpindi franchise for the PSL 2026 Season, having been snapped up at the auction for a staggering PKR 86.5 million, making him the most expensive player in the tournament. However, his campaign proved deeply underwhelming. In just two appearances, he managed only a single wicket while conceding 51 and 26 runs against Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, respectively.
The side strain he sustained during a PSL match has now ended his tournament prematurely, raising fresh questions about his fitness and long-term availability for Pakistan.
The injury comes at a difficult time for a bowler who was once considered Pakistan’s next great pace leader. Naseem had impressed fans early in his career with a hat-trick against Bangladesh and played a key role in Pakistan’s 2022 T20 World Cup campaign. But his trajectory has since taken a sharp downward turn. He was demoted to Category C in the PCB’s central contracts list, a decision that drew widespread attention and mixed reactions from fans.
Off the field, matters have been equally troublesome. Naseem was fined heavily for a social media post related to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and the PCB rejected his explanation that his account had been hacked. Reports have also emerged suggesting that his focus on advertisements and podcasts has hampered his on-field preparation and performance.
The board is now keeping a close watch. Naseem is expected to appear before the PCB medical panel, led by Dr. Javed Mughal, who will assess the injury and chart out a detailed rehabilitation plan before he is cleared to return to cricket.
For a talent once hailed as Pakistan’s future, the road back to favor, both on and off the pitch, appears long.
