Ravindra Jadeja on Naseem Shah picking up cramps late in Indo-Pak match

Naseem Shah completed his quota of 4 overs despite beingg injured

Naseem Shah completed his quota of 4 overs despite being injured

Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah struggled with cramps, yet bowled 4 overs against India.
Ravindra Jadeja feels even a fully-fit Naseem wouldn’t have helped Pakistan win the match.
Naseem produced figures of 2 for 27 in his quota of 4 overs.

The India vs Pakistan showdown in the 2022 Asia Cup on Sunday turned out to be a belter, where both teams remained in the game until the last over. While it was Hardik Pandya whose heroics earned India a 5-wicket win, fans also lauded the effort Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah showed despite struggling with cramps.

Making his debut, Naseem bowled his heart out and also picked up a few important wickets. But, towards the end of the game, he seemed to be struggling with cramps. Yet, Naseem completed his quota of 4 overs.

Many fans wonder if the result would’ve been in Pakistan’s favour had Naseem been fully fit throughout the match. When Ravindra Jadeja was asked about the same, the India all-rounder confidently said that even a fully-fit Naseem wouldn’t have prevented the Men in Blue from emerging triumphant.

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“It is not like we would have lost if the Pakistan bowler (Naseem Shah) had not picked up cramps. No matter how big or experienced bowler one is, there is always pressure on them in the last 2-3 overs of a T20 game,” Jadeja said in the press conference ahead of the Hong Kong match.

“We were trying to score as many till the 18th-19th over so that we didn’t leave too many for the last over. Luckily, we delivered what we were trying,” he added.

Jadeja also reserved praise for Naseem, admitting that it wasn’t easy facing the young pacer in the match.

“Naseem Shah is a good young pace bowler. He knows what line, length and areas to bowl against which batter. All three of their fast bowlers were good. They were bowling in good areas. It wasn’t easy.”

The hot conditions in UAE were deemed as the reason behind Naseem’s cramps but Jadeja feels even the pressure of the situation sometimes leads to such cramps.

“Weather is the same for all. It’s not that it is good for one team and bad for the other. It is up to the individual to prepare himself – take the proper amount of water and fluid intake. As a professional cricketer, everyone takes care of it.”

“Sometimes, due to pressure situation, the nerves set in, and that can lead to cramps,” he explained.

Pakistan now have to beat Hong Kong in their last group stage match of the 2022 Asia Cup if they are to progress to the next round.